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Nr. 46
12 pages 11 figures
25 March 2009
An observation on the Himalayan Striped Squirrel
{Tamiops mcclellandi kongensis) in North Thailand
{Rodentia, Sciuridae)
Muhabbet Kemal Ahmet Omer Ko^ak
The genus Tamiops was established by Allen (1906) with the type species, Tamiops
maritimus hainanus Allen, 1906. The genus is currently composed of four species, mcclellandi
Horsfield,i840, rodolphei Milne-Edwards, 1867, sivinhoei Milne-Edwards, 1874 and maritimus
Bonhote,i900 inhabiting in Indo-china subregion of South-East Asia. Among them, the Tamiops
mcclellandi Horsfield (Himalayan or Burmese Striped Squirrel) is represented by the subspecies
collinus Moore, 1958, kongensis Bonhote, 1901, barbei Blyth, 1847, inconstans Thomas, 1920,
leucotis Temminck, 1853, and the nominate one. In North Thailand, two representatives, collinus
Moore and kongensis Bonhote are locally found in plains and mountainous areas, respectively.
Tamiops mcclellandi kongensis is the sole dorsally striped Squirrel around Chiang Mai; therefore it
is easy to identify when observed among other diurnal Squirrel (Baker, 2009). All the species of the
of the genus are active by day in habits and this group was well studied taxonomically by Moore
and Tate (1965).
According to the lUCN Reports (Duckworth, Lunde and Molur, 2008), the genus Tamiops
needs taxonomic review. Species limits are unresolved. This may be a species complex. Tamiops
mcclellandi was listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, presumed large
population, it occurs in a number of protected areas, has a tolerance of a degree of habitat
modification, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more
threatened category. The subspecies Tamiops mcclellandi kongensis, described by Bonhote (1901),
is currently confined to the western mountainous areas of North Thailand and known from only
several places, i.e, Raheng (type), Doi Suthep (observed) (Fig. 1), Chiang Mai (observed), Chieng
Dao (observed) (Fig. 2), Doi Inthanon (observed), Doi Saket (observed) (Fig.3), Mae Hong Song
(observed) (Fig.4), Doi Hua Mot, Doi Phra Chao, Nan, Koon Tan, Chump Poo, Mesarieng, Chieng
Tao, Pitsanulok, Pran, Srirarcha,
Nr. 46
CesaNews
Centre for Entomological Studies Ankara
25 March 2009
Fig. 1 - Habitat of Tamiops mcclellandi kongensis (observed) North Thailand, Doi Suthep NP, 360m 7 11
2006 M Kemal (Cesa)
'^" ^Mi^.
Fig. 2 - Habitat of Tamiops mcclellandi kongensis (observed) North Thailand, Chiang Dao 465m 12 11 2006
M Kemal (Cesa)
Nr. 46
CesaNews
Centre for Entomological Studies Ankara
25 March 2009
jr< . -. .
Fig. 3 - Habitat of Tamiops mcclellandi kongensis (observed) North Thailand, Doi Saket, Huay Pa Toen
village 440m 9 4 2006 M Kemal (Cesa)
WW
Fig. 4 - Habitat of Tamiops mcclellandi kongensis (observed) North West Thailand, Mae Hong Song, 26 3
2006 M Kemal (Cesa)
Nr. 46
CesaNews
Centre for Entomological Studies Ankara
25 March 2009
Figs. 5,6- Tamiops macclelandi kongensis (Sciuridae) North Thailand, Doi Suthep NP, M Kemal
(Cesa)
Nr. 46 C e s a N e w s 25 March 2009
Centre for Entomological Studies Ankara
Nakorn Sawan, Pujeg, Rajpuri, Paktoo, Kanjanapuri, Kanachanaburi, Ban Klua Klan, Prachuap Kiri
Khan, and Kampheng Phet (see also Moore and Tate, 1965).
During entomological excursion of the authors in 2006, individuals of Tamiops mcclellandi
kongensis were observed often singly in several places mentioned above. Individuals of this
subspecies may be seen in various habitats with trees, including secondary growth forest, dry
dipterocarp forests, and gardens. It is apparently widespread but locally found and rare in its
range. Dangers to this subspecies appears as hunting pressure, habitat degradation, and gradually
increasing annual fires of National Parks in Thailand caused by local people.
Among the observed sites, in the lower slopes of Doi Suthep National Park near Chiang Mai
city, some behaviours of an individual of Tamiops mcclellandi kongensis was also recorded in
Video among the tree branches by the first author.^ In the earlier collector notes, brief behavioural
descriptions of the species may be seen (Wroughton, 1916). It is stated that they were usually seen
high up in tall trees, moving in short rushes and then staying motionless, sometimes head
downward, often some minutes at a time. This Squirrel is found in most of the forests above 5,000
feet. It is common but owing to its power of concealment is generally not very easy to find.
Regarding to the behavioral observations of the endemic subspecies kongensis, it was
recorded and filmed by the first author apparently for the first time (Figs. 5, 6). The exact date
and place of the recorded individual is inside of Chiang Mai University Campus at the lower slopes
of Doi Suthep NP, with the geographical coordinates 18° 48'07" North, 98° 57'09" East, at an
elevation 340m above sea level on 10 November, 2006.
Tamiops mcclellandi kongensis was observed at Doi Suthep NP together with two other
diurnal Squirrel species in the same habitat, Callosciurus finlaysonii Horsfield,i824, and
Callosciurus caniceps Gray, 1842.
We are of the opinion that such observations may be useful for the further conservation
researches on this "Least Concern" subspecies of diurnal Squirrels.
References
Allen, J. A., 1906, Mammals from the island of Hainan, China. Bulletin American Museum Natural
History, 22, 463-490.
Baker, N., 2009, Himalayan Striped Squirrel, [in] Ecology Asia
http://www.ecologvasia.com/verts/mammals/himalayan-striped squirrel.htm Downloaded on 2 March 2009.
Bonhote, J. L., 1901, On a second collection of mammals made by Mr. T. H. Lyle in Siam. Proceedings
Zoological Society of London, 1901, 52-56.
Duckworth, J.W., Lunde, D. & Molur, S., 2008, Tamiops macclellandii. In: lUCN 2008. 2008 lUCN
Red List of Threatened Species, < www.iucnredlist.org > Downloaded on 21 March 2009.
Moore, J. C, 1958, New genera of East Indian Squirrels. American Museum Novitates, no. 1914, 1-5.
Moore, J. C. & Tate, G. H. H., 1965, A Study of the Diurnal Squirrels, Sciurinae, of the Indian and
Indochinese Subregions. Fieldiana (Zoology) 48: 1-351.
Wroughton, R. C, 1916, Bombay Natural History Society's mammal survey of India, Burma and Ceylon.
Report No. 23: Sikkim and Bengal Terai. Journal of Bombay Natural History Society 24, 468-493.
^ http://www.archive.org/details/ObservationsOnTheHimalavanStripedSquirrelAtChiangMainorthThailand
5
Nr. 46 C e s a N e w s 25 March 2009
Centre for Entomological Studies Ankara
The re-determination oi the Neurergus (Salamandridae,
Caudata) specimens recently recorded in §irvan
(Siirt, Turkey)
Murat Biricik*
Kemal (2008)^ reported recently some newts which were observed in the northern §irvan
(Siirt province, Turkey). The animals were photographed at the spot and identified afterwards by
the author as Neurergus crocatus Cope, 1862. The identification was however not correct, as the
species should not be N. crocatus but Neurergus strauchii (Steindachner, 1887). In this note I'll
explain why I come to this conclusion.
The Anatolian newt (AT. strauchii) is an endemic Turkish species and represented by two
subspecies; the nominate subspecies is distributed at the mountainous area from the eastern
Euphrates to Van Lake, whereas N s. barani Oz, 1994 was described from the Kubbe Mountain
near Malatya (Oz 1994) and seems to be restricted to this area (Pasmans et al. 2006). Lake Urmiah
newt (N. crocatus) is described from Urmiah and north-western Zagros in Iran, and Surkev
Mountains and Aqrah in Iraq (Schmidtler & Schmidtler 1970, Rastegar-Pouyani 2006). In 1986 it
was first discovered in Turkey near Beytu§§ebap (Hakkari Province)3 (Baran & Oz, 1986, Ba§oglu et
al. 1994, Baran 20054). Cilo Mountain (4170 m) has been suggested as the natural border for N
strauchii in north and AT. crocatus in south (Schmidtler & Schmidtler 1970).
The geographic position of §irvan is quite close to a number of known localities for N s.
strauchii (see Bogaerts et al. 2006). I have also found it near Bitlis city center and these are very
similar to the §irvan specimens (Figs. 1-2).
Although I never observed any N. crocatus neither living nor conserved material hitherto,
there was an occasion last year to deal with this species. In April 2008, at least two animals were
caught by Kerem Tatar, who lives in §irnak and noted the newts during his trip for gathering herbs
in Siimbiil Mountain (exact locality unknown)5. As the "strange" animals awaked public interest,
local media gave attention to them, so the journalists returned to me to get information on the
species. The finding, and my comments on it, appeared in a number of newspapers and in internet
sources as well^. The photos of both animals obtained from a journalist are represented in Figs. 3-
4
* University of Dicle, Faculty of Science and Letter, Department of Biology, Diyarbakir, Turkey. mbiricik(adicle.edu.tr
^ http://www.archive.org/download/CentreForEntomologicalStudiesAnkaraCesaNewsNr.i2/Cesai2.pdf
3 Beytu§§ebap belongs to 3irnak Pro\ince [Editorial]
4 It is remarkable that in Baran (2005, pp. 10-11) distribution areas of both referred species are mistakenly reverse stated!
5 Siimbiil Mountain is located South of Hakkari city, Hakkari Province [Editorial].
^ One of these reports with a video is still available at the link below (access date: 25.02.2009). In the film, captured animals are shown alive. At the most
end of the sequence, the belly part of an individual is also visible, though for a very short time.
http://www.haher7.com/haher/20080421/Sirnakta-yeni-surungen-t11ru-mu.php
Nr. 46
CesaNews
Centre for Entomological Studies Ankara
25 March 2009
Fig. 1- Neurergus s. strauchii in Bitlis (c. i6oo m), 20.05.2006, Photo: M. Biricik©
Fig. 2- Neurergus s. strauchii in Bitlis (c. 1600 m), ventral view of the specimen in Fig. 1, 20.05.2006,
Photo: M. Biricik©
Nr. 46
CesaNews
Centre for Entomological Studies Ankara
25 March 2009
Fig. 3- Neurergus crocatus from Siimbiil Mountain (§irnak province), 6^ (above) and $, 27.05.2008,
Photo: N. Kadirhan©
Fig. 4- Neurergus crocatus from Siimbiil Mountain (§irnak province), adult (^, 27.05.2008,
Photo: N. Kadirhan©
Nr. 46
CesaNews
Centre for Entomological Studies Ankara
25 March 2009
How to distinguish the two species?
N. strauchii can be distinguished from N. crocatus by a few characters. N strauchii have a
less (about only 1-2 mm) protruding cloak in $, and by silver blue spots on tail of (?. But this is
mainly visible in breeding season. The belly coloration however is more different, and is not
depending on the breeding season. N. strauchii have a predominantly dark underneath (throat,
belly, underside of hands and legs) (Schmidtler & Schmidtler 1970), whereas N. crocatus has an
orange coloured belly, underside of arms and legs with only some small isolated black spots. In the
table below, main characters described by Schmidtler & Schmidtler (1975) to distinguish the
species are given.
Total length of (?/?:
Back side:
Throat:
Belly:
Extremities under
part:
Tail laterals:
N, strauchii
16/19 cm
Small (2 mm in diameter) yellow
to orange spots
Black, orange edged; often yellow
spots
Black flanks push back the
orange to red coloured belly up to
the center
Greyish black
Small yellow to orange spots;
additionally, array of silver blue
spots on adult c?
iV. crocatus
16/18 cm
Large (4 mm) and small (2 mm in
diameter) yellow spots
Unicoloured yellow to reddish
orange
Unicoloured yellow to reddish
orange
Unicoloured orange
Large yellow spots7; no sexual
dimorphism
Fig. s-Neurergus crocatus ^ in breeding condition, from Aqrah (Northern Iraq). Photo: S. Bogaerts©
An examination of all the photos (§irvan, Bitlis and §irnak specimens) reviewing the known
differences shows clearly that the newts of §irvan are to be a matter of re-nomination. Especially
noticeable are the considerably larger and fewer spots particularly on the laterals of back side in N.
crocatus (Figs. 3-4), and typical pattern on the belly (black with a narrow yellow or reddish
median zone) in N. strauchii (Fig. 2). Additionally, for N. crocatus, the belly colour is usually
7 In males, these spots can turn whitish in breeding season, as can be seen in Figs. 4 and 5 (S. Bogaerts, pers. comm.).
Nr. 46 C e s a N e w s 25 March 2009
Centre for Entomological Studies Ankara
more or less visible also from the side view (Figs. 4-5), which is nicely shown in Baran & Oz
(1986).
Acknowledgements: I wish to thank Dr. S. Bogaerts for his guiding helps in every stage of this
work, and N. Kadirhan for submitting the photos of §irnak specimens.
References
Baran, I. & M. Oz, 1986. On the occurence oiNeurergus crocatus andiV. strauchii in Southeast Anatolia.
Zoology in the Middle East 1: 96-99.
Baran, I., 2005. Tiirkiye Amfibi ve Siiriingenleri [The Amphibians and Reptiles of Turkey].- Tiibitak
Popiiler Bilim Kitaplari 207, Ankara.
Ba§oglu, M., N. Ozeti & I. Yilmaz, 1994. Tiirkiye Amfibileri [The Amphibians of Turkey - Taxonomic
List, Distribution, Key for Identification].- Ege. Univ. Fen Fak. Kitaplar Serisi 151, Izmir.
Bogaerts, S., F. Pasmans & T. Woeltjes, 2006. Ecology and conservation aspects of Neurergus
strauchii (Amphibia: Salamandridae).- In: M. Vences, J. Kohler, T. Ziegler, W. Bohme (eds.):
Herpetologia Bonnensis II. Proceedings of 13* Congress of the Societas Europaea Herpetologica, 15-18.
Kemal, M., 2008. A new record oiNeurergus crocatus (Cope, 1862) in South East Turkey (Salamandridae,
Caudata).- CesaNews 12: 6-11.
Oz, M., 1994. A new form oiNeurergus strauchii (Urodela, Salamandridae) from Turkey.- Tr. J. Zool. 18:
115-117.
Pasmans, F., S. Bogaerts, S., T. Woeltjes & S. Carranza, 2006. Biogeography oiNeurergus strauchii
barani Oz, 1994 and N. s. strauchii (Steindachner, 1887) (Amphibia: Salamandridae) assessed using
morphological and molecular da.t3i.- Amphibia-Reptilia 27: 281-288.
Rastegar-Pouyani, N., 2006. Conservation and distribution of Neurergus microspilotus (Caudata:
Salamandridae) in the Zagros Mountains, Kermanshah Province, Western Iran.- In: M. Vences, J.
Kohler, T. Ziegler, W. Bohme (eds): Herpetologia Bonnensis II. Proceedings of the 13*1^ Congress of the
Societas Europaea Herpetologica, 115-116.
Schmidtler, J. J. & J. F. Schmidtler, 1970. Morphologic, Biologic und Verwandtschaftsbeziehungen
von Neurergus strauchii aus der Tiirkei (Amphibia: Salamandridae).- Senckenbergiana biol. 51(1/2):
41-53.
Schmidtler, J. J. & J. F. Schmidtler, 1975. Untersuchungen an westpersischen Bergbachmolchen der
Gsittung Neurergus (Caudata, Salamandridae).- Salamandra 11(2): 84-98.
10
Nr. 46 C e s a N e w s 25 March 2009
Centre for Entomological Studies Ankara
[p^ Announcements of the Cesa Publications
Short Documentary Films
Two short documentary films by Muhabbet Kemal were published in the following online
addresses:
Kemal, M., 2009, Observations on the Himalayan Striped Squirrel {Tamiops mcclellandi) at
Chiang Mai (North Thailand) (Rodentia, Sciuridae). MPEG2 file. Duration 4 min 32 sec.
http://www.archive.org/details/ObservationsOnTheHimalayanStripedSquirrelAtChiangMainorth
Thailand
Kemal, M., 2009, Observations on some behaviours ofAncyra vicina Lall. in North Thailand
{Homoptera, Eurybrachidae). MPEG2 file. Duration 6 min. 01 sec.
http://www.archive.org/details/ObservationsOnSomeBehavioursOfAncyraVicinaInNorthThailand
11
Nr. 46 C e s a N e w s 25 March 2009
Centre for Entomological Studies Ankara
Centre for Entomological Studies
Ankara
(A scientific Consortium)
(co-operation of research workers for pure-scientific, not commercial purpose)
Web Page of the Cesa: http://www.cesa-tr.org/
Scientific Serials: Priamus & Supplement (ISSN 1015-8243)', Miscellaneous Papers (ISSN 1015-8235)',
Memoirs (ISSN-8227)^^ DVD Films^^ Iconographia Insectorum^^ Cesa Publications on African
Lepidoptera (series)^^, Cesa News [online]^"^, Cesa Books ^^
Owners / Sahipleri - Editors / Yayincilar: Prof Dr. Ahmet Omer Ko9ak (c/o Ytiziincii Yil University,
Turkey) - Editor Assistent: Asst. Prof Dr. Muhabbet Kemal Ko9ak (c/o Ytiztincti Yil University, Turkey).
Editorial Board of all Scientific Serials / Biitiin Bilimsel Yayinlarin Yayin Kurulu: Insecta, taxonomy,
nomenclature, ecology, faunistics: Prof Dr. Ahmet Omer Ko9ak (Ytiziincii Yil Universitesi, Turkey), Asst.
Prof Dr. Muhabbet Kemal Ko9ak (Ytiziincii Yil University, Turkey), Asst. Prof Dr. Selma Seven (Gazi
University, Turkey), General Entomology: Assoc. Prof Dr. Paitoon Leksawasdi (Chiang Mai University,
Faculty of Science, Thailand); Homoptera: Dr. Emine Demir (Turkey). Orthoptera: Dr. Piotr Naskre9ki
(Connecticut University, U.S.A.), Assoc. Prof Dr. Mustafa Unal (Abant tzzet Baysal University, Turkey),
Asst. Prof Dr. Yusuf Hiiseyinoglu (Mersin University, Turkey), Asst. Prof Dr. Ya§ar Giilmez (Gazi Osman
Pa§a University, Tokat). Coleoptera / Chrysomelidae: Assoc. Prof M.S.Mohammedsaid (Malaysia). - Plant
taxonomy, flora and vegetation: Prof Dr. Liitfl Beh9et, Asst. Prof Dr. Fevzi Ozgok9e, Asst. Prof Dr. Mural
Unal (Ytiziincii Yil University, Van, Turkey).
I ALL RIGHTS RESERVED |
Correspondences should be addressed to: Prof Dr. Ahmet Omer Ko9ak, c/o Ytiziincii Yil University, Fen-
Edebiyat Fakiiltesi, Biyoloji Boliimii, Kampus, Van / Turkey. - e-mails: cesa tr@vahoo.com.tr -
a_kocak@lycos.com
All serials are recorded regularly by the Zoological Record,
Thomson Reuters, Enterprise House, Innovation Way, Heslington, York, YOio 5NY, United Kingdom
ts-emea-vork.dcsadmins(5)thomson.com
^ http://www.cesa-tr.org/Pri.htm - pdf available after corresponding
9 http://www.cesa-tr.org/Miscell.htm - pdf available after corresponding
^° http://www.cesa-tr.org/Memoirs.htm -
11 http://www.cesa-tr.org/CDF.htm
^^ http://www.cesa-tr.org/Icon.htm
^3 http://www.metafro.be/Members/Cesa/internet sayfas.qo.t^/base view - pdf available
^4 http://www.cesa-tr.org/Cesanews.htm
^5 http://www.cesa-tr.org/Cesabooks.htm
12
