Conservation Research Laboratory: General Conservation Projects

Rosa Jessen


Ecology of Neotropical Tree Squirrels
  • Time Period: May – July 2009 and June – July 2010

  • Location: Area de Conservacion Regional Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo, Loreto, Peru

Major Questions: Does vegetation type affect density and habitat use of neotropical tree squirrels? What vegetation characteristics are influential to rainforest squirrels? What is the mammalian diversity associated with neotropical tree squirrels?

Rainforests are home to the greatest mammal diversity, but little is known about most of the rainforest species. Small mammals in the rainforest play important roles, providing ecological services such as seed dispersal and pollination. These species also drive the dynamics and complexity of biological communities by serving as predators and providing a prey base for a range of rainforest species. The Amazon Basin contains one of the world’s largest rainforests, much of which is found in Peru. Five species of tree squirrels are found in the Peruvian Amazon: northern Amazon red squirrel (Sciurus igniventris), southern Amazon red squirrel (S. spadiceus), Bolivian squirrel (S. ignitus), Amazon dwarf squirrel (Microsciurus flaviventer) and neotropical pygmy squirrel (Sciurillus pusillus) but there is a great lack of knowledge of neotropical tree squirrels and no one has examined their role in rainforests. Little is known about life history, ecological interactions, and distribution of these squirrels.

  • Publications

  • Palmer, R. R., and J. L. Koprowski. 2014. Feeding behavior and activity patterns of Amazon red squirels. Mammalia 78: 303-313. PDF of Article
  • Jessen, R. R., G. H. Palmer, and J. L. Koprowski. 2013. Neotropical pygmy squirrels (Sciurillus pusillus) share termite nests. Ecotropica 19:73-76. PDF of Article
    Jessen, R. R., R. N. Gwinn, and J. L. K0prowski. 2013. Sciurillus pusillus (Rodentia: Sciuridae). Mammalian Species 49:75-79. PDF of Article
    Jessen, R. R., G. H. Palmer, and J. L. Koprowski. 2013. Maternity nest of an Amazon red squirrel in a bromeliad. Mastozoología Neotropical 20:159-161. PDF of Article
    Jessen, R., M.J. Merrick, J.L. Koprowski, O. Ramirez. 2010. Presence of Guayaquil squirrels on the central coast of Peru: an apparent introduction. Mammalia. 74: 443-444. PDF of Article