Microsciurus

Microsciurus[1] or dwarf squirrels is a genus of squirrels from the tropical regions of Central and South America.

Microsciurus
Temporal range: Recent
↓
Microsciurus flaviventer
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Subfamily: Sciurinae
Tribe: Sciurini
Genus: Microsciurus
Allen, 1895
Type species
Sciurus alfari
Species

See text

Taxonomy and systematics

Recent DNA analysis has shown that there is some confusion regarding the traditional classification of the species in the genus Microsciurus,[2] and that the genus may be polyphyletic.[3] Currently, there are four species recognized:

A 2020 paper published on the taxonomy of Sciurinae split Microsciurus into three genera, one currently unnamed. The paper included genetic sampling from all species except Santander dwarf squirrel and (Microsciurus) simonsi. It suggests several new species, not all described.[4]

Description

With a typical head-and-body length of about 15 cm (5.9 in) and a 12 cm (4.7 in) long tail, dwarf squirrels are relatively small. However, the Neotropical pygmy squirrel, not in this genus, is much smaller than these species, as are certain squirrels in Africa and Asia. Microsciurus species have gray or brown backs, and white bellies.

Distribution and habitat

All dwarf squirrels in this genus live in tropical rain forests. Estimates of their abundance are limited.[5] The IUCN lists the conservation status as "Least Concern" for three of the species and "Data Deficient" for Microsciurus santanderensis.[6]

References
  1. Thorington, R.W., Jr.; Hoffman, R.S. (2005). "Genus Microsciurus". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 757–758. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  2. Amori, G.; Koprowski, J. & Roth, L. (2008). "Microsciurus santanderensis". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2008: e.T13412A3904007. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T13412A3904007.en. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  3. Pečnerová, P. & Martínková, N. (February 2012). "Evolutionary history of tree squirrels (Rodentia, Sciurini) based on multilocus phylogeny reconstruction". Zoologica Scripta. 41 (3): 211–219. doi:10.1111/j.1463-6409.2011.00528.x. S2CID 86487063.
  4. https://www.biomedcentral.com/epdf/10.1186/s12862-020-01639-y?sharing_token=N-1ujWCPzBEr73Wl7r5q7W_BpE1tBhCbnbw3BuzI2RPpuW-j1F9ht2jOLJZOA6SlGPSEigHZ6yFc3HuiboY2Cwni6rXe1HoY47bFFoyC8gAuRaYhWAvdfs5_WLax-yvgs61k7hqB6ytu3KIa0d3ZHHIAU7h3CXZlCHjMCyhaYI0%3D
  5. Jessen, T.G.; et al. (August 2016). "Microsciurus flaviventer (Rodentia: Sciuridae)". Mammalian Species. 48 (935): 59–65. doi:10.1093/mspecies/sew006.
  6. "The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 2020-05-15.

Bibliography
  • Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999 ISBN 0-8018-5789-9
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