This genus has a single species. The wrist anatomy of Aeretes
suggests a close relationship with Petaurista.
Aeretes melanopterus
(Milne-Edwards, 1867)
Northern Chinese Flying Squirrel
description: This is a medium-sized fl ying squirrel, with
a bushy fl attened tail. The dorsum is sandy brown, but it is
trimmed in black along the edges of the patagium; the feet
are black. The dorsal hairs are long and soft; the ventral
hairs are short. The venter is white or pale. The face and
throat are grayish. Aeretes is distinguished from Petaurista
and other genera of fl ying squirrels by its grooved upper
incisors.
size: Female—HB 350.0 mm; T 310.0 mm.
Sex not stated—HB 305.0 mm; T 336.5 mm.distribution: Endemic to central China, this species is
represented by two isolated populations: one with a range
extending from southern Gansu to central and northeastern
Sichuan, and the other farther to the northeast, in Hebei.geographic variation: Two subspecies are recognized.A. m. melanopterus—Hebei (China). This form is smaller,
with the pelage being duller sandy buff above and dull
white, washed slightly with buff , below.
A. m. szechuanensis—Gansu and Sichuan (China). This form
is larger, with a darker pelage. The upperparts are dark
grayish drab, and the underparts are a duller buff y white.conservation: IUCN status—near threatened. Population
trend—declining.habitat: The northern Chinese fl ying squirrel (also known
as the groove-toothed fl ying squirrel) is found in montane
forests, at elevations below 3000 m. This species is assumed
to be threatened because of habitat loss within its range.natural history: Virtually nothing is known about the
biology of A. melanopterus.general references: Lee and Liao 1998; A. T. Smith and
Johnston 2008a; A. T. Smith and Xie 2008; Tong 2007; Y. Z.
Wang et al. 1966; Xiang et al. 2004; Yu 2002.Tr o g o p t e r u s
This tribe includes 15 genera.
Aeretes G. M. Allen, 1940