Large treeshrew

The large treeshrew (Tupaia tana) is a treeshrew species within the Tupaiidae.[2] It is native to Sumatra and adjacent small islands, as well as in the lowlands and hills of Borneo.[3]

Large treeshrew
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Scandentia
Family: Tupaiidae
Genus: Tupaia
Species:
T. tana[2]
Binomial name
Tupaia tana[2]
Raffles, 1821
Large treeshrew range

Habitat

Large treeshrews are the most predominantly terrestrial of all treeshrew species. They are usually on the forest floor, the primary location for their foraging, although they spend part of their time in trees.[4] T. tana has been described as mainly terrestrial based on field observations and their morphological traits.[5][6][7] Large treeshrews are most abundant in primary tropical rainforest, but are also found in swamp forest and secondary growth forest. T. tana has many potential predators such as the marbled cat, leopard, and clouded leopard.

Large treeshrews contribute to maintenance of their lowland rainforest ecosystem by dispersing seeds.

Description

Tupaia tana is slightly larger than the common treeshrew (T. glis).[4] The dorsal fur is reddish brown, shading to nearly black at the rear. There is a black stripe running from the neck half to two thirds of the way down the back, until it disappears in the darker posterior fur.

The body size measurements of this species are:

  • Head and body: 165–321 mm
  • Tail: 130–220 mm
  • Hind foot: 43–57 mm
  • Weight: 154-305 g

The snout is long: the distance from the center of the eye to the tip of the muzzle is more than 37 mm in adults.[3]

Tupaia tana has sensitive hearing and large eyes that give it acute night vision[8] but poor daylight vision.

Diet

Their diet consists of earthworms and arthropods such as centipedes, millipedes and beetle larvae, with some fruit.[3] Less favored arthropods include ants, beetles, spiders, cockroaches and crickets.

Reproduction

The average age of reproductive maturity for both males and females is around one year of age. The female almost always gives birth to two altricial young. The fecundity of females is reduced in poor quality territories or during periods of resource scarcity.[9]

References
  1. Cassola, F. (2016). "Tupaia tana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T41501A22279356.
  2. Helgen, K.M. (2005). "Tupaia tana". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 108. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  3. Payne, J., Francis, C. M., Phillipps, K. (1985). Field guide to mammals of Borneo. The Sabah Society with World Wildlife Fund Malaysia.
  4. Yasuma, S., Andau, M., Apin, L., Yu, F.T.Y., and Kimsui, L. (2003). Identification keys to the mammals of Borneo: Insectivora, Scandentia, Rodentia and Chiroptera. Park Management Component BBEC Programme, Sabah.
  5. Emmon, L. (2000). Tupai: a Field Study of Bornean Treeshrews. University of Carlifornia Press, Berkeley, Los Angeles.
  6. Wells, K., Pfeiffer, M., Lakim, M. B., and Kalko, E. K. V. (2006). Movement trajectories and habitat partitioning of small mammals in logged and unlogged rain forest on Borneo. Journal of Animal Ecology 75(5): 1212–1223.
  7. Sargis, E. J. (2001). A preliminary qualitative analysis of the axial skeleton of tupaiids (Mammalia, Scandentia): functional morphology and phylogenetic implications. Journal of Zoology 253(4): 473–483.
  8. Harwood, R. "Geology 102: Humans". Archived from the original on 2010-06-25. Retrieved 2009-08-03.
  9. Munshi-South, J. (2008). "Female-biased dispersal and gene flow in a behaviorally monogamous mammal, the large treeshrew (Tupaia tana)". PLoS One. 3 (9): e3228. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0003228.
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