Squirrels of the World

Prosciurillus murinus 177

natural history: Not much is known about P. leucomus.
Based on the similarity of its body plan to P. topapuensis and
P. alstoni, Musser conjectures that P. leucomus is a denizen of
the canopy. Its diet is probably soft fruits and insects. Fe-
males have three pairs of teats: two inguinal pairs and one
postaxillary pair.

general references: Musser et al. 2010.

Prosciurillus murinus (Müller and

Schlegel, 1844)

Celebes Dwarf Squirrel

description: This is the smallest of the endemic squirrels

on Sulawesi (Indonesia). It has dark brown upperparts; and

a tail fl ecked with buff , ochraceous, and black. It lacks ear

tufts, nape patches, and dorsal stripes. The tail is shorter

than the length of its body. The underparts are grayish. The

eyes are circled by buff y rings. It is very similar in coloring

and size to P. abstrusus, but P. murinus is smaller and the ears

are uniformly dark.

size: Sex not stated—HB 102–150 mm; T 55–120 mm; Mass

42–110 g.

distribution: The Celebes dwarf squirrel is ubiquitous all

over Sulawesi (Indonesia), except perhaps for the eastcen-

tral peninsula, where surveys for P. murinus have been poor.

It is also found on the surrounding islands of Pulau Talise

and Pulau Lembeh (Indonesia).

geographic variation: None.

conservation: IUCN status—data defi cient. Population

trend—no information.

Prosciurillus leucomus. Photo courtesy Ingo Waschkies.