A note on a new habitat of the woolly flying squirrel Eupetaurus cinereus in the northern area of Pakistan

Abstract

The woolly flying squirrel Eupetaurus cinereus Thomas, 1888 is one of the most unusual and least known mammals in the world. This species is confined to the rocky mountainous area of northern Pakistan approximately over 3000 m elevation. It nests in the cliff caves that are normally inaccessible (Rasool 1996; Roberts 1997; Zahler and Woods 1997). Eupetaurus cinereus is the longest squirrel, with a head and body length of 450–600 mm and a tail of roughly equivalent length (Zahler and Woods 1997; Nowak 1999). Also, E. cinereus is the most massive gliding mammal, ranging from 1.4 to 2.5 kg (Zahler 1996; Zahler and Woods 1997). The morphological traits of this species are described (Blanford 1891; Grasse and Dekeyser 1955; Schaub 1958; Ellerman 1961; McKenna 1962; Chakraborty and Agrawal 1977). For 70 years (from 1924 to 1994), there were no records of E. cinereus by scientists. Many people considered E. cinereus to be extinct (Zahler and Woods 1997). Zahler (1996) documented that this species still exists in the northern Pakistan. In addition to this rediscovery, he and colleagues (Zahler 2001; Zahler and Khan 2003) have reported its gliding behavior and dietary traits. The ecological characteristics and current distribution of E. cinereus are still unclear. Zahler and Woods (1997) estimated that the distribution of E. cinereus might be as small as 100 miles eastto-west and 50 miles north-to-south in the northern area of Pakistan. They suggest the distribution of E. cinereus would be described as an area bounded by the Gilgit River in the north and the Babusar Pass in the south (Fig. 1). Zahler and Woods (1997) also referred, however, to the obscure information of the existence of E. cinereus in the upper Hunza Valley, outside of the distribution range mentioned above. They admit that the eastern and western limits of E. cinereus are not fully determined. With respect to the habitat of E. cinereus, Zahler and Woods (1997) described the vegetation patterns of the sampling localities: 1) mixed forest of pine (Pinus gerardiana and P. wallichiana), spruce (Picea smithiana), juniper (Juniperus excelsa), and oak (Quercus baloot), and 2) grass and scattered P. wallichiana and J. excelsa. Because this species is well adapted to rocky mountain, E. cinereus, however, may occur in barren area with less grasses and more scattered trees. To evaluate its habitat, we surveyed for E. cinereus in areas of different vegetation. Here, we refer to a new habitat and the wider distribution of this flying squirrel.