Kingdom Animalia Order Rodentia Genus Funambulus Scientific name Funambulus sublineatus Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Family Sciuridae Subgenus Funambulus Higher classification Funambulus | |
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Similar Layard's palm squirrel, Funambulus, Squirrel, Jungle palm squirrel, Palawan montane squirrel | ||
The Nilgiri palm squirrel (Funambulus sublineatus) is the Indian form (formerly subspecies F. s. sublineatus) of squirrels collectively known as Dusky-palm squirrels. It is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae.
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Taxonomy
The species known in the past has recently been split into two species. The Indian form (formerly subspecies F. s. sublineatus) has now been referred to as the Nilgiri palm squirrel, whereas the Sri Lankan form (formerly F. s. obscurus) may now be referred to as the dusky palm squirrel.
Distribution
The former range of the species, before the taxonomic split was in both India and Sri Lanka, though the Nilgiri palm squirrel (F. sublineatus) is now restricted in distribution to the Western Ghats of India. Very little is known of this squirrel, probably the smallest in the genus weighing about 40g. Its new status as an endemic mammal to India means records need updating.
The species is confined to wet humid forests either in the Western Ghats and Nilgiri hills (and surrounding areas such as around Kodaikanal in India)