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- Heliosciurus mutabilis Peters, 1852
Heliosciurus mutabilis Peters, 1852
Order: Rodentia > Family: Sciuridae > Genus: Heliosciurus > Species: Heliosciurus mutabilis Peters, 1852
Common Name: Mutable Sun Squirrel [English]
Type Description
Bericht Verhandl. K. Preuss Akad. Wiss., Berlin, 17:273.
Type Locality
Mozambique, Boror, 19 km NW of Quelimane, 17°S. 'Africa orientalis, Boror, 17° Lat. Austr.'
Measurements
Head and body: 200-254 mm
Tail length: 210-300 mm
Weight: 250-403 g
Tail length: 210-300 mm
Weight: 250-403 g
Description
This species is grizzled on a brown or pale orange background on the back with a pale belly. The rings on the tail are indistinct.
Comparisons
Heliosciurus undulatus has a back that is more ashy grey and the rings on the tail are more distinct.
Distribution
Heliosciurus mutabilis is found in a variety of habitats in southeastern Tanzania.
Key References
1. Grubb, P. 1982. Systematics of sun-squirrels (Heliosciurus) in eastern Africa. Bonner Zoologische Beitrage 33: 191-204.
2. Kingdon, J. 1984. East African mammals: An atlas of evolution in Africa. (Hares and Rodents). University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2B:425-430.
3. Kingdon, J. 1997. The Kingdon field guide to African mammals, AP Natural World Academic Press, Harcourt Brace & Company, San Diego, p. 173.
4. Nowak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth ed. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 2:1246, 1281-1282.
5. Swynnerton, G. H., and R. W. Hayman. 1951. A checklist of the land mammals of the Tanganyika Territory and the Zanzibar Protectorate. Journal of the East African Natural History Society, 20(6):274-392.
2. Kingdon, J. 1984. East African mammals: An atlas of evolution in Africa. (Hares and Rodents). University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2B:425-430.
3. Kingdon, J. 1997. The Kingdon field guide to African mammals, AP Natural World Academic Press, Harcourt Brace & Company, San Diego, p. 173.
4. Nowak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth ed. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 2:1246, 1281-1282.
5. Swynnerton, G. H., and R. W. Hayman. 1951. A checklist of the land mammals of the Tanganyika Territory and the Zanzibar Protectorate. Journal of the East African Natural History Society, 20(6):274-392.