Du Chaillu's rope squirrel
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Subfamily: Xerinae
Tribe: Protoxerini
Genus: Funisciurus
Species:
F. duchaillui
Binomial name
Funisciurus duchaillui
Sanborn, 1953

Du Chaillu's rope squirrel (Funisciurus duchaillui) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae.[2] It is endemic to parts of central Gabon,[1] within dense tropical rainforests,[2] where it was listed as extinct in 1952, but was then rediscovered in 1993.[3][4] The species is currently has a "Data Deficient" conservation status brought about by the IUCN Red List.[1] It was named after French zoologist, traveler, and anthropologist Paul Du Chaillu.[2]

Description

Body on average reaches a length of 185–212 mm (7.3–8.3 in), with a 190–230 mm (7.5–9.1 in) long tail. Weight on average is around 195–205 g (6.9–7.2 oz). Olive-brown dorsum, with grey and white colorations around limbs. Four dark brown dorsal stripes spread down from its head, in a longitudinal manner. Banded hairs, that are green-yellow and have a black colored tip. Tail is a bright red-brown color, also with a black tip. Rarely seen in pairs.[2]

Diet

Du Chaillu's rope squirrel is known to feast upon the fruits of Xylopia aethiopica and any species from the genus Dialium.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Gerrie, R.; Kennerley, R. (2017) [errata version of 2016 assessment]. "Funisciurus duchaillui". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T136461A115207982. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T136461A22270411.en. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Funisciurus duchaillui Sanborn, 1953". www.gbif.org. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
  3. Holmes, Branden. "Funisciurus duchaillui - The Recently Extinct Plants and Animals Database". recentlyextinctspecies.com. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
  4. Brugière, David; Fleury, Marie-Claire; Colyn, Marc (2005). "Structure of the squirrel community in the Forêt des Abeilles, central Gabon: rediscovery and revalidation of Funisciurus duchaillui Sanborn, 1953". Mammalia. 69 (2): 223–231. doi:10.1515/mamm.2005.019. S2CID 85286644.


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