A CONTRIBUTION TO THE TAXONOMY OF INDIAN FIVESTRIPED SQUIRREL ( FUNAMBULUS PENNANTl WROUGHTON ) , WITH DESCRIPTION OF TWO NEW SUBSPECIES

The Fivestriped Squirrel, Funambulus pennanti Wroughton, is found over almost all of India in forested country, comparatively open area or in human habitations. Its range of distribution is approximately from Dharwar in Karnataka (c 15°27' N lat.), Maharashtra and about Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh in the South, and from Bengal as far as west to Iran through plains of northern India and Himalayan foot hills, including Nepal. Chaturvedi (1966) has reported it from Andaman Island (probably introduced). From Karnataka through Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa to southern parts of Bihar and southern West Bengal it occurs with the Threestriped Squirrel, Funambulus palmarum Wroughton, but under variable ecological conditions in different places.

not agree with Ellerman and Morrison-Scott's (1951), Ellerman's (1961) also of Agrawal and Chakraborty's (1979) views.On the contrary, like Moore and Tate (1965) we are in the opinion of recognising all these subspecies of Wroughton, but observations are slightly different from them.
A critical study on the geographic variations in the colour of the dark and light stripes forming the saddle, head, sides of the body, flank, forelimb and hindfoot, tail and position of the saddle, besides general colouration' and size was made on 250 examples of this species from different areas of India.From the study it was revealed that in Funambulus pennanti, the average character rather than absolute measurements or particular colour, as it generally happens in many other rodents and small mammals, is important in the recognition of its infra specific categories.It is found that, in spite of having individual variation among the members of various populations of the Fivestriped Squirrels, colour pattern is not as inconstant as has been commented by Ellennan (op. cit.), and the white stripes alone do not have much importance in its subspecific identification.
In consideration of the average colour pattern, we agree with Ellerman (op. cit.,p. 210) that the specimens of F. pennanti from Salt Range, Pakistan 'cannot be distinguished from the normal lutescens' for they actually belong to this subspecies of Wroughton rather than to argentescens, as considered by the above author.On the contrary, we disagree with Ellerman that the specimens from Danta (near the type locality of F. p. lutescens) in Gujarat, Sind in Pakistan .andGwalior in Madhya Pradesh belong to the same popUlation, or the material from Khadesh in Maharashtra are similar to those of lutescens on average characters.However, after working carefully through this difficult species which is distributed over a wide area with variable physiography, climate, rainfall and forest zones, it is considered in this work that the undermentioned subspecies of this Indian squirrel should be recognised.These subspecies, in addition to their morphological differences on average characters, also possess variable ecological co-relations (vide Table 1).
In dealing with the subspecies, morphometry of the skulls have not been accounted in this study, for they hardly represent any appreciable differences for subspecific recognition.
The materials referred in the work, unless otherwise mentioned, are all study skins and adult specimens.The body measurements refer to those taken by the collector in the field and given here in millimeters.Measurements available in Ellerman (1961) were also utilised, when required for comparison, estimation, etc.
The colour names mentioned with initial capital letters are recognised after Ridgway's (1886) nomenclature.
The abbreviations like ZSI and BNHS denote the Zoological Survey of India and the Bombay Natural History Society; others as N., S., indicate geographical directions like north, south etc.
The main ecological works have been done by one of us (PSG).
Material examined: INDIA: 24ei', 169, 2 unsexed : MAHARASHTRA : Jalgaon District (East Kahndesh) : 29; Pachora; March 1911 (BNHS).lei ', 39;Ghodasgaon;April 1911 (lex: ZSI, 3ex BNHS). 5d';Vawal Taluk;February and April 1919 (BNHS).6c3 ', 19;Moharala, Vawal Taluk;December 1918 andFebruary 1919 (BNHS) The dark stripes in this subspecies are speckled with black and Buff or Orange-Buff hairs; in fully adult specimens proportions of black and Buff are more or less same.Head Cream Buff and in some specimens Buff-Yellow to Orange-Buff, minutely speckled with black; lighter in the back, but generally not very lighter than the nape and anterior portion of saddle, particularly in the northern material of this subspecies.The light stripes vary from creamish white to Primrose Yellow in colour.The central light stripes, with the exception of few western Indian examples, generally darker than the outer pairs.The dorsal sides of the manus and pes are lighter, ranging from dirty white, Primrose Yellow, Straw Yellow to Cream Buff; sometimes speckled with black, especially those from northeastern area of the range.The colouration in the ventral side Straw Yellow to Cream colour.The sides of the body, the flank, the fore and hind limbs are Straw Yellow speckled with certain amount of black, in few occasions with rusty wash.The saddle generally commences from the anterior angle of ears or slightly posterior between the ears.The outer light stripes are quite prominent.The tail is not bushy, but somewhat slender.
Range: Western India, from about 15°27' N lat. in Dharwar in Kamataka and then through Maharashtra to Gujarat (excluding Bhuj, Kutch and Banas Kantha (= Palanpur) in the west; the eastern limit of its range being approximately up to Hoshangabad District in Madhya Pradesh.
Remarks : Funambulus pennanti pennanti Wroughton has its affinity with F. p. argentescens Wroughton regarding colour.This subspecies though occurs in the the same geographical area with Funambulus palmarum (Linn), but in different ecological environs, unlike the next subspecies mentioned hereunder.C. A. Wroughton and Ryley, 1913, pp. 53-54) says that in Hoshangabad F. palmarum lives up on the hills amongst bamboo bushes and F. pennanti in the valleys.At Panchgani-Mahabaleshwar Plateau it has been observed that F. palmarum occurs at a higher elevations in cooler, moister and thicker semi-evergreen type of forests.Where as F. pennanti is commonly found at the base of the hills forming the plateau in deciduous type of forests (Tiwari et al, 1971).Moore and Tate (1965, p. 70) have cited similar habitat difference of these two species at Palni Hills.Tiwari et ale  (op.cit.) have also observed that F. pennanti is less arboreal than F. palmarum at Panchgani-Mahabaleshwar Plateau.

Crump (in
Moulting has been observed in one specimen from Jalgaon District (East Khandesh) in Maharashtra, collected in early February.Diagnosis : General colouration on the dorsal side is brighter than all other subspecies of Funambulus pennanti; seasonally (particularly from rainy seasons to winters) becomes very dark.The head is not remarkably lighter than the back and of the same colour as those of the inner and outer pairs of dark stripes.The stripes are quite glossy and speckled with bright Orange-Buff and black.The light stripes are generally Buff-Yellow in many individual and extends over the basal region of the tail.The outermost light stripes is occasionally very faint and scarcely distinguishable.The manus and the pes are dorsally lighter and Straw Yellow to Buff or intermediate between those two colours.The side of the body, the flank, the fore and the hind limbs are speckled with Buff and black with rusty wash; the Buff colour, however, predominated.The tail slender, not bushy; underside in many individuals has a Buff or Buff-yellow lines running down its middle region.The saddle is brightly coloured (due to the brightness of the dark bands) than any other subspecies of the species; sometimes the dark stripes of the saddle, especially the posterior half, becomes almost black.The inner pair of dark stripe and central stripe generally commences between the ear.Colouration of the ventral side Primrose-Yellow.

Funambulus pennanti chhattisgarhi, new subspecies
Range : Central and eastern India, from southern Bihar and southeastern West Bengal through Orissa and easternmost district of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra to as far south about the Godavari River.
Remarks : The subspecies, unlike Funambulus pennanti pennanti, occurs together with Funambulus palmarum (Linn.) in the same place.Crump (in Wroughtoo, 1915, p. 108) said that at Hazaribagh and Rajmahal Hills both the species occur together at the same place and on the same Diagnosis: This subspecies is not brightly coloured as in Funambulus pennanti chhattisgarhi.Comparatively brightness in some specimen between July and September are however noticed than those collected in other seasons.Coat coarse.The dark stripes are speckled with black and Buff to Orange-Buff; black predominated in some individuals, while in others the Buff or Orange-

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Buff.The head is lighter than the back; Buff to Buff-Yellow, minutely speckled with black.The light stripes are Primrose Yellow, the central light stripes very rarely darker than the other observed in two specimens of which one is from Hosiarpur in Punjab and Medinipur in West Bengal.In two specimens from Darbhanga in Bihar and Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh a tendency of darkness have also been observed.The hands and feet are lighter; Primrose Y ~llow or between Primerose Yellow and Straw Yellow.The sides of the body, the flank, the fore and hind limbs are Primrose Yellow to Straw Yellow washed with very little amount of black.The saddle commences between the ears, but prominent posterior to the forelimbs.The colouration of the ventral side is Primrose Yellow or sometimes between Primrose Yellow and Straw Yellow or lighter.The tail usually appears bushy; midventralline occasionally Buff-Yellow or Straw Yellow.The outer light stripe is quite prominent.
Range: From Bengal through Bihar (excluding southern Bihar and southwestern West Bengal), Uttar Pradesh, northern part of Madhya Pradesh, Nepal to southeastern Himachal Pradesh and as far west around Hosiarpur in Punjab in India.
Out of six examples examined from Gwalior, the head of two specimens from Chatigaon (Ghatigaon) gives Straw Yellow colour as in the next subspecies lutescens.It appears that the area is an intergrading zone between F. p. gangutrianus and F. p. lutescens, and needs confirmation on st~dy l?ased on further material.Moulting has been observed in a specimen behind the fore limbs collected in May from Darbhanga in Bihar.
The central light stripe never gets darker than the other light stripes.The manus and pes are lighter dorsally, Cream Buff to Straw Yellow in colour.The sides of the body, the flank, anterior and posterior limbs are Primrose Yellow, sometimes Straw Yellow, speckled with black.The tail is generally prominent but sometimes not traceable very well for it becomes almost concolourous with the colouration of the sides of the body.
Range : It occurs from Deesa, Banas Kantha (= Palanpur), Gujarat, northwards through the Great Desert and others parts of Rajasthan, extending as far north on Salt Range in Punjab, in Pakistan and Kangra Valley in Himachal Pradesh in India.
Remarks : As in Funambulus pennant; gangutrianus and F. p. argentescens, this subspecies also does not occur together with Funambulus palmarum.This is smallest in head and body size among all the subspecies known.The dark stripes are speckled black and Cream Buff; black predominates.The head is .lighter than the back; Creamcolour to smoky, minutely speckled with black.The light stripes are white.The central light stripes never darker than the outer light stripes.The manus and pes are lighter dorsally; whitish to Cream-colour.The ventral side is white in colour.The sides of the body, the flank, the fore and hind limbs are Primerose Yellow speckled with a certain amount of black.The tail is not bushy, more or less slender.The saddle generally commences from the inner angle of the ear.The outer pair of light stripes are quite prominent.1, and comparison of average external measurements of the above subspecies are given in Table 2. Also their approximate distribution have been shown in Text-figure 1.

SUMMARY
Taxonomy of one of the most common rodent, Funambulus pennanti Wroughton, which occurs over a wide area from southern to northern India, under variable ecological conditions, has been studied afresh iti the light of the material present in the Zoological Survey of India and Bombay Natural History Society.The coI9~.r~ variation which is obvious in such a widely distributed species, the three subspecies, namely, Funsmbulus pennanti pennanti Wroughton, 1905, Funambulus pennanti argentescens.• Wroughton, 1905, and Funambulus pennanti lutesens Wroughton, 1916, have been recognised to be valid on average colour characters and measurements.Moreover, description of two new subspecies of the Five striped Squirrel has been provided.

Table 2 .
Comparative average external measurements of five subspecies of Funambulus pennanti.