Squirrels of the World

Callosciurus melanogaster 143

geographic variation: None.

conservation: IUCN status—least concern. Population
trend—no information.

habitat: The inornate squirrel occurs in scrublands, de-
graded evergreen forests, and pristine evergreen forests.

natural history: No information is available.

general references: R. S. Hoff mann and Smith 2008.

Callosciurus melanogaster (Thomas, 1895)

Mentawai Squirrel

description: The Mentawai squirrel is a black-bellied Cal-
losciurus species, with black feet and hands and a black col-
oration extending up the insides of the limbs. It is dark on
the back as well, with a black head and obscure lateral side
stripes, the dorsal one grizzled and the ventral one black,
merging with the coloration of the abdomen.

size: Female—HB 212.0 mm (n = 5); T 180.6 mm (n = 5).
Male—HB 209.3 mm (n = 9); T 179.6 mm (n = 28).
Sex not stated—HB 213.0 mm (n = 22); T 176.0 (n = 20);
Mass 292.3 g (n = 3).

distribution: This species is found on the Mentawai

Islands: Siberut, Sipora, and North and South Pagai (Indo-

nesia).

geographic variation: Three subspecies are recognized.

C. m. melanogaster—Sipora Island (Indonesia). See descrip-

tion above.

C. m. atratus—North and South Pagai Islands (Indonesia).

This form has a black tail, blackish brown underparts

with a blackish gray belly, a black-and-russet dorsum,

and obscure russet and black side stripes.

C. m. mentawi—Siberut Island (Indonesia). This form is simi-

lar to C. m. melanogaster, but with a reddish brown venter.

conservation: IUCN status—vulnerable. Population

trend—decreasing.

habitat: On Siberut Island (Indonesia), C. melanogaster is a

resident of primary mixed forests, but it is seen infrequently

in primary mixed dipterocarp forests, swamp forests, and

disturbed secondary growth.

natural history: The Mentawa i squirrel is most act ive in

the early morning and late afternoon, and probably before

sunrise and after sunset, to judge by its vocalizations. It is

active at all heights in the forest—from 0 to 30+ m, although

rarely seen on the ground—but it chooses heights above 25 m

for resting. These squirrels have been observed feeding