Protoxerini

Sun squirrel ( Heliosciurus sp.)

The Protoxerini are a tribe of squirrels ( Sciuridae ). They comprise six genera with about 30 species, all of which are native to Africa south of the Sahara.

These animals live in forests, in addition to pronounced tree-dwelling species, there are also those that predominantly on the ground. Most species are relatively unknown and little studied.

We distinguish between the following genera:

  • African palm squirrel ( Epixerus )
  • Sun squirrel ( Heliosciurus )
  • Oil palm squirrel ( Protoxerus )
  • Rotschenkelhörnchen ( Funisciurus )
  • African pygmy squirrel ( Myosciurus )
  • African Bush Squirrel ( Paraxerus )

The first three genera form the group of Protoxerina, during the last three form the group of Funisciurina. The Funisciurina were earlier considered closely related to the Asian Striped Palm Squirrel ( Funambulus ) considered and summarized as Tribus Funambulini, the Striped Palm Squirrel, however, now one of the nice croissant, croissant another group counted.

Euarchontoglires Don E. Wilson
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