Arboreal locomotor and postural behaviour of Europ

Authors: Dionisios Youlatos Athanasios Samaras

Publish Date: 2010/12/21

Volume: 29, Issue: 2, Pages: 235-242

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Abstract

The study of the locomotion and postures of arboreal squirrels may provide important contextual information on the evolution of the morphology and ecology of sciurids In this context we studied the positional behaviour and habitat use of four adult European red squirrels Sciurus vulgaris L in a mixed coniferous forest in northern Greece Our results show that during the study period S vulgaris extensively used the forest canopy and the terminal branch zone The use of small and medium supports of all orientations was also particularly frequent The positional profile of the species was characterized by the dominance of quadrupedal clawed and airborne locomotion along with seated and standing postures Quadrupedalism and sitting appeared to promote terminal branch use for food access and manipulation while claw climbing favored vertical ranging and retreat to trees after terrestrial foraging Finally leaping reduced energetic costs during travelling between food sites within the relatively dispersed forest These results and those of previous research on the positional behaviour of other squirrels reveal several trends related to body size arboreal or gliding habits and tropical or temperate forest distribution and contribute to the understanding of evolutionary novelty in multiple levels within the sciurid radiationWe are particularly grateful to the Municipality of Panorama for granting permission to work in Platanakia This research was supported by funds provided by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki School of Biology We are highly indebted to the three reviewers and the associate editor who provided thorough and constructive remarks throughout the reviewing process that greatly improved this article

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