Squirrels of the World

Petaurista leucogenys 113

where it breeds prior to the rainy season. Little else is
known about its behavior, ecology, and population biology.
Gliding dynamics have been indirectly investigated in this
and related species. P. elegans appears to show one of the
highest wing loadings among all the fl ying squirrels, which
probably requires a faster glide to maintain the glide ratio
(horizontal distance/vertical height). Like other members of
the genus, P. elegans is reported to have small litters (one
young per litter). Frequent vocalizations are reported, al-
though details are not available. A new genus and species of
fl ea (Smitipsylla maseri) and a new genus and species of suck-
ing louse (Atopophthirus emersoni) have been reported from
P. elegans. The microfi lariae stage of some nematodes has
been detected from blood samples taken from spotted giant
fl ying squirrels. At least one species of Eimeria is also re-
ported from this host. Although one study suggests that P.
elegans is most closely related to P. alborufus castaneus, an-
other indicates that the phylogenetic relationship of P. ele-
gans to other members of the genus is not yet resolved.

general references: Chowattukunnel and Esslinger
1979; Kim 1977; Lee, Progulske, et al. 1993; R. E. Lewis 1971;
Lin et al. 1985; Muul and Liat 1971; Muul and Lim 1978; Muul
et al. 1973; Oshida, Ikeda, et al. 2001; Scheibe et al. 2007; A. T.
Smith and Xie 2008; R. W. Thorington and Darrow 2000;
R.  W. Thorington and Heaney 1981; Walston, Duckworth,
and Molur 2008a; Yu, Yu, Pang, et al. 2006.

Petaurista leucogenys (Temminck, 1827)

Japanese Giant Flying Squirrel

description: This species shows considerable variation in
its dorsal pelage coloration, from nearly black to dark red-

dish brown to grayish yellow. The ventral surface also var-

ies, from yellowish brown to white. This species is one of

the larger members of the genus.

size: Female—HB 465.5 mm; T 314.8 mm.

Male—HB 367.8 mm; T 363.3 mm.

Sex not stated—HB 375.0 mm; T 345.0 mm; Mass 1178.9 g.

distribution: Except for the island of Hokkaido, this spe-

cies is endemic to Japan. It also occurs in South Korea.

geographic variation: Four subspecies are recognized.

P l. leucogenys—islands of Shikoku and south Kiusu (= Kyushu)

(Japan). The color on the upperparts is intermediate

brown. The patch below the eye is grayish brown, suc-

ceeded behind by a fairly prominent light cheek patch,

and by a dull fulvous one below and behind the ear.

P. l. hintoni—Seoul (South Korea). This form is similar to P. l.

leucogenys, but the fur on the back is tinged with rufous

brown. The tail is shorter, with a paler dorsal surface.

The underparts are whiter, tinged with pale vinous in

the center and becoming wine rufous on the marginal

membrane.

P. l. nikkonis—Nikko, central region of the island of Hondo

(Japan). The fur is particularly long, and the tail is bushy.

The general color is paler than P. l. leucogenys, more gray-

ish brown or drab. The underparts are white. The muz-

zle is whitish. It is grayish brown below the eye. The

cheek patches are prominently white.

Petaurista elegans. Photo courtesy Chan Kwok Wai.