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Distribution and Status of Indian Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista philippensis Elliot) in Rajasthan, India

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Abstract

Distribution and status of Indian Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista philippensis Elliot) have been assessed in the state of Rajasthan, India. A total of 1,704 km surveys were made in southern Rajasthan from January 2009 to June 2011. A total of 86 flying squirrels were encountered at 39 sites of 4 districts and mainly concentrated in protected areas. The overall encounter rate was 0.05 animals/km. Petaurista philippensis was found to be natural cavity dweller and mostly nested on Madhuca longifolia. Hunting, cultural traditions, myths and construction of national highway were found major potent factors for decline flying squirrels’ population.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the University Grant Commission (UGC) in the form of JRF and Department of Science and Technology (DST), Rajasthan. We thank to Department of Forests, Jaipur (Rajasthan) for permission to carry out this study and assistance in the field. Authors also duly thank to Mohammad Yaseen and Dilip Mali for their help in field surveys.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Aquatic Toxicology and Wildlife Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University College of Science, Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, 313001, Rajasthan, India

    Vijay Kumar Koli & Chhaya Bhatnagar

  2. Assistant Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Sanctuary Jaisamand, Jaisamand Post, Udaipur, 313905, Rajasthan, India

    Satish Kumar Sharma

Authors
  1. Vijay Kumar Koli
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  2. Chhaya Bhatnagar
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  3. Satish Kumar Sharma
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vijay Kumar Koli.

Appendix

Appendix

See Table 3.

Table 3 Distribution sites of Petaurista philippensis in four districts of Southern Rajasthan, India
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Koli, V.K., Bhatnagar, C. & Sharma, S.K. Distribution and Status of Indian Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista philippensis Elliot) in Rajasthan, India. Natl. Acad. Sci. Lett. 36, 27–33 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40009-012-0105-z

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