174 Nannosciurus melanotisNannosciurus melanotis (Müller, 1840)
Black-Eared Squirrel
description: This pygmy squirrel has a plain pale agouti
pelage. However, it has a black line from the nose to the eye;
a broad buff y stripe below it extending under the eye to a
buff y patch behind the eye; and another thin black line be-
low the stripe, extending to the mouth—all of which distin-
guish it from Exilisciurus. The back of the ear and a patch
behind it are black.
size: Female—HB 79 mm; T 70.5 mm; Mass 17 g.
Male—HB 79.6 mm; T 62.1 mm.
Sex not stated—HB 74 mm; T 65.5 mm.
distribution: This squirrel occurs in Sumatra and Java
(Indonesia); the island of Borneo (divided among Malaysia,
Brunei Darussalam, and Indonesia), except for the northern
part; and adjacent small islands.
geographic variation: Four subspecies are recognized.
N. m. melanotis—Java (Indonesia). It has the darkest pelage of
the subspecies, dorsally orange brown and ventrally pale
orange brown. The nape of the neck is lighter brown
than the crown.
N. m. bancanus—Bancan (= Bangka) Island (Indonesia). It
has a yellow brown pelage and is most similar to N. m.
pulcher; but N. m. bancanus is darker, has a more obscure
nape patch, and the facial stripe is buff y.
N. m. borneanus—island of Borneo (divided among Malaysia,
Brunei Darussalam, and Indonesia). It has a yellow
brown pelage; a whitish facial stripe slightly tinged with
buff y; and a distinct nape patch, which is not as pale and
distinct as that of N. m. pulcher.
N. m. pulcher—Sumatra and Sinkep Island (Indonesia). It has
a yellow brown pelage, a whitish facial stripe, and a dis-
tinct nape patch.conservation: IUCN status—least concern. Population
trend—decreasing.habitat: This squirrel occurs in all dipterocarp forests in
the lowlands, at elevations up to 1070 m.natural history: This species is a bark gleaner and is
seen mostly on tree trunks and major branches.general references: Chasen and Kloss 1928; Heaney
1985; Hollister 1913; Taylor 1934; Thomas and Whitehead
1898.Nannosciurus Trouessart, 1880
This genus includes one species of pygmy squirrel.
Nannosciurus melanotis. Photo courtesy David Bakewell.