Distribution, status and ecology of the mainland slender-tailed treeshrew Dendrogale murina

• Published in: Mammal review 2003-09, Vol.33 (3-4), p.272-283
• Main Authors: TIMMINS, R. J., DUCKWORTH, J. W., ROBSON, C. R., WALSTON, J. L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: conservation status; geographical distribution; Indochina; Scandentia
• ISSN: 0305-1838; 1365-2907
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2907.2003.00013.x

ABSTRACT 1. The few historical records of Dendrogale murina are from southern Vietnam, South‐east Thailand and probably Cambodia. Recent records extend its range considerably further north in Vietnam, into Laos, and provide the first certain Cambodian localities. Its occurrence within its range is patchy, and while in some areas (Cat Tien National Park, Vietnam, and a part of Mondulkiri Province, Cambodia) it is clearly common, elsewhere records are infrequent. Dendrogale murina seems to be relatively easy to observe, so the documented range for Laos, Vietnam and Thailand probably approximates to the real range. Cambodia has not been surveyed extensively enough to propose a provisional distribution. 2. There is no obvious ecological correlate of species occurrence: most sites have extensive bamboo, but various other similar sites surveyed within its range lack records. Most records come from evergreen forest (at varying stages of degradation) but D. murina has also been found in mixed deciduous forest, extensive secondary bamboo lacking any dicotyledonous canopy, and in streamside tangles amid rocky savannah. Records range from the plains up to 1500 m altitude. 3. The species mainly uses the under‐ and mid‐storeys, but also enters the canopy. It is active at least throughout the daylight hours; nocturnal activity has not been assessed. Although the ecological needs are poorly understood, there is no reason to believe that D. murina is at any special risk and it is unlikely to meet any IUCN global threat criteria.