170 Lariscus insignisSex not stated—HB 182.5 mm (n = 6); T 109.0 mm (n = 6);
Mass 175.0 g (n = 2).
distribution: This species has been found in peninsular
Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra and Java (Indonesia), the island
of Borneo (divided among Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam,
and Indonesia), and on the small islands of Penang and Tio-
man (Malaysia), Singapore (where it is probably now extinct),
and the small Indonesian islands of Bintang (Riau Islands),
Tanabala (Batu Islands), and Sianan (Anambas Islands). It
occurs at elevations of up to 1000 m.
geographic variation: Five subspecies are recognized.
L. i. insignis—Sumatra and eastern Java (Indonesia). This
subspecies has a variable dorsal pelage, but it is generally
dark. The ventral pelage is gray. The montane form on
Sumatra is darker yet.
L. i. diversus—island of Borneo (divided among Malaysia,
Brunei Darussalam, and Indonesia). This form resembles
the Malayan forms, but it has a longer tail and orange
brown fl anks.
L. i. javanus—Buitenzorg (= Bogor) and western Java (Indo-
nesia). This form has the dorsal and ventral pelage
washed with rufous.
L. i. peninsulae—peninsular Malaysia, from Trang (Thailand)
south. This form has a ventral pelage that is lighter and
brighter yellow. The front feet are brown, and the hind
feet are brown grizzled with yellow. The underparts are
cream buff , fading to white on the chest and darkening
to buff on the inner hind legs.
L. i. rostratus—Tanabala Island, Batu Island, and western Su-
matra (Indonesia). This form has a darker pelage with
broader black dorsal stripes, and the rostrum is more
elongate.conservation: IUCN status—least concern. Population
trend—decreasing.habitat: L. insignis prefers lowland dipterocarp forests, but
it can also survive well in deforested habitat. In a study in
the Krau Wildlife Reserve (Pahang, Malaysia), three-striped
ground squirrels were trapped slightly more often in areas
disturbed by humans than in pristine areas.natural history: The three-striped ground squirrel is di-
urnal and terrestrial. It is found mostly on the ground and
low on tree buttresses, fallen trees, and the like in rainfor-
ests, but it is also frequently seen in secondary forests. In
addition, individuals have been observed in the limestone
hills in Ranthan Ipoh in peninsular Malaysia. This species
was previously believed to be relatively common, perhaps
because of its ability to withstand human disturbance, but it
is now believed to be less abundant. Research indicates that
L. insignis may have a specialized diet, feeding on foods found
in cool areas, which they appear to prefer. They are known to
eat the buds of the Raffl esia fl ower in Gunung Gading Na-
tional Park (Sarawak, Malaysia). A single adult female was
recorded as having a home range of 0.1–0.2 ha in the Ulu
Gombak Forest Reserve (Selangor, Malaysia).general references: Hedges et al. 2008; Lundahl and
Olsson 2002; J. B. Payne 1980; Saiful and Nordin 2004; Saiful
et al. 2001.Lariscus insignis. Photo courtesy Dimar Adhi Perdana.