Order

Rodentia

Key region

N/A

Range

India

Key Species Champion

Firoz Ahmed and Murali Krishna Chatakonda

How this species is doing

The Namdapha Flying Squirrel (Biswamoyopterus biswasi) is assessed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species because its extent of occurrence is estimated to be less than 100 km² based on available habitat in the park and on survey data, it is known from only one location, and its habitat is continuing to decline.

Pressure

Poaching of animals for food within the park has been observed to be the major threat. The species appears to have a restricted range, with presumably some general habitat loss and degradation taking place. Additional important threats include habitat loss through landslides and flooding.

Responses

The species is not protected by any legislation. It is known from Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh, India. There is a need to maintain suitable areas of habitat for this species, and to undertake detailed field surveys to determine whether the species still persists and to determine the current distribution range.

Knowledge level

The Namdapha Flying Squirrel is only known with certainty from a single individual collected in Namdapha National Park, the largest protected area in the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot, at altitudes of between 100 and 350 meters above sea level. Although researchers have surveyed the surrounding area for the flying squirrel, there have not been any verified sightings of the species. Scientists believe this lost species occurs in dry deciduous montane forests along streams, and may be restricted to the area of a single valley within the Namdapha National Park. This is an arboreal species that is likely most active at dusk.