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- Heliosciurus gambianus Ogilby, 1835
Heliosciurus gambianus Ogilby, 1835
Order: Rodentia > Family: Sciuridae > Genus: Heliosciurus > Species: Heliosciurus gambianus Ogilby, 1835
Common Name: Gambian Sun Squirrel [English]
Type Description
Ogilby, W. 1835. Descriptions of Mammalia and birds from the Gambia. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, 1835:97-105.
Type Locality
Gambia, possibly near Ft. St. Mary. '. . . Brought from the Gambia . . .' 'Through. . . Mr. Rendall, who has lately arrived from the Gambia, where his brother is lieutenant-governor of Fort St. Mary and the other British possessions in that neighborhood. . .'
Measurements
Head and body: 174-210 mm
Tail length: 185-218 mm
Weight: 250-340 g
Tail length: 185-218 mm
Weight: 250-340 g
Description
This species is grizzled on an ashy grey background and pale belly. The rings on the tail (less than 15) are distinct. The eye has a pale white ring around it.
Distribution
Heliosciurus gambianus is found in a variety of habitats in southwestern 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:424-426. 3. Kingdon, J. 1997. The Kingdon field guide to African mammals, AP Natural World Academic Press, Harcourt Brace & Company, San Diego, p. 172-173.
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:424-426. 3. Kingdon, J. 1997. The Kingdon field guide to African mammals, AP Natural World Academic Press, Harcourt Brace & Company, San Diego, p. 172-173.
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.