The large treeshrew (Tupaia tana) is a treeshrew species within the Tupaiidae.[1] It is native to Sumatra and adjacent small islands, as well as in the lowlands and hills of Borneo.[3]
| Large treeshrew | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Scandentia |
| Family: | Tupaiidae |
| Genus: | Tupaia |
| Species: | T. tana[1]
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| Binomial name | |
| Tupaia tana[1] Raffles, 1821
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| Large treeshrew range | |
Habitat
editLarge treeshrews are the most predominantly terrestrial of all treeshrew species. They are usually on the forest floor, the primary location for their foraging, although they spend part of their time in trees.[4] T. tana has been described as mainly terrestrial based on field observations and their morphological traits.[5][6][7] Large treeshrews are most abundant in primary tropical rainforest, but are also found in swamp forest and secondary growth forest. T. tana has many potential predators such as the marbled cat, leopard, and clouded leopard.
Large treeshrews contribute to the maintenance of their lowland rainforest ecosystem by dispersing seeds.
Description
editTupaia tana is slightly larger than the common treeshrew (T. glis).[4] The dorsal fur is reddish brown, shading to nearly black at the rear. There is a black stripe running from the neck half to two-thirds of the way down the back until it disappears in the darker posterior fur.
The body size measurements of this species are:
- Head and body: 165–321 mm (6.5–12.6 in)
- Tail: 130–220 mm (5.1–8.7 in)
- Hind foot: 43–57 mm (1.7–2.2 in)
- Weight: 154–305 g (5.4–10.8 oz)
The snout is long: the distance from the center of the eye to the tip of the muzzle is more than 37 mm (1.5 in) in adults.[3]
Tupaia tana has sensitive hearing and large eyes that give it acute night vision[8] but poor daylight vision.
Diet
editTheir diet consists of earthworms and arthropods such as centipedes, millipedes, and beetle larvae, with some fruit.[3] Less favored arthropods include ants, beetles, spiders, cockroaches, and crickets.
Reproduction
editThe average age of reproductive maturity for both males and females is around one year of age. The female almost always gives birth to two altricial young. The fecundity of females is reduced in poor-quality territories or during periods of resource scarcity.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b Helgen, K.M. (2005). "Tupaia tana". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 108. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
- ^ a b Cassola, F. (2016). "Tupaia tana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T41501A22279356. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T41501A22279356.en. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
- ^ a b c Payne, J., Francis, C. M., Phillipps, K. (1985). Field guide to mammals of Borneo. The Sabah Society with World Wildlife Fund Malaysia.
- ^ a b Yasuma, S., Andau, M., Apin, L., Yu, F.T.Y., and Kimsui, L. (2003). Identification keys to the mammals of Borneo: Insectivora, Scandentia, Rodentia and Chiroptera. Park Management Component BBEC Programme, Sabah.
- ^ Emmon, L. (2000). Tupai: a Field Study of Bornean Treeshrews. University of California Press, Berkeley, Los Angeles.
- ^ Wells, K., Pfeiffer, M., Lakim, M. B., and Kalko, E. K. V. (2006). Movement trajectories and habitat partitioning of small mammals in logged and unlogged rain forest on Borneo. Journal of Animal Ecology 75(5): 1212–1223.
- ^ Sargis, E. J. (2001). A preliminary qualitative analysis of the axial skeleton of tupaiids (Mammalia, Scandentia): functional morphology and phylogenetic implications. Journal of Zoology 253(4): 473–483.
- ^ Harwood, R. "Geology 102: Humans". Archived from the original on 2010-06-25. Retrieved 2009-08-03.
- ^ Munshi-South, J. (2008). "Female-biased dispersal and gene flow in a behaviorally monogamous mammal, the large treeshrew (Tupaia tana)". PLOS ONE. 3 (9): e3228. Bibcode:2008PLoSO...3.3228M. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0003228. PMC 2528962. PMID 18797506.