Microsciurus alfari ( J. A. Allen, 1895)
Central American Dwarf Squirrel
description: Central American dwarf squirrels have a
dull-colored back that is olivaceous brown to olivaceous
black, sometimes with a reddish tinge. The venter is dull
buff to gray to pale orange buff. Often there are white spots
at the base of the ears. The tail is dark olivaceous brown at
the core, but frosted with orange. The limbs are relatively
long for the body length.
size: Both sexes—HB 108–146 mm; T 80–130 mm; Mass 72–
105 g.
distribution: This species is found in far southern Nica-
ragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia.
geographic variation: Six subspecies are currently rec-
ognized. However, this is probably in need of revision.
M. a. alfari—northeast Costa Rica, in the vicinity of the Tur-
rialba Volcano. It is more rufescent than M. a. venustulus.
M. a. alticola—northcentral Costa Rica. This highland form
has long dense fur and a modestly large size.
M. a. browni—southwest Costa Rica and northwest Panama.
This subspecies is a low-elevation long-tailed variant.
M. a. fusculus—extreme southeastern Panama and Colom-
bia. The upperparts are blackish brown; the face, sides,
and chest are tawny or tawny ochraceous.
M. a. septentrionalis—northcentral Costa Rica and margin-
ally in Nicaragua. This form is less rufescent on the dor-
sum than neighboring subspecies.
M. a. venustulus—central Panama and the Caribbean coast of
western Panama. This subspecies is less rufescent thanSubfamily Sciurinae Fischer de Waldheim, 1817
This subfamily contains two tribes, the Sciurini and the Pteromyini.
Tr ib e S c iur in i Fischer de Waldheim, 1817
This tribe includes 20 genera.
Microsciurus J. A. Allen, 1895
This genus contains four species of dwarf squirrel.