NO. 5 MAMMALS OF PANAMA — GOLDMAN I35 



Specimens examined: P)Oqueron, 10'; Gatun, 2; Rio Indio (near 

 Gatun), I ; Tabernilla, i. 



Family SCIURIDAE. Squirrels 



The family is represented in Panama by species of the familiar 

 genus Sciurus, and by pygmy squirrels of the genera Microsciunis 

 and Syntheosciurus. Like Sciurus the latter genera are arboreal in 

 habits. 



Genus SCIURUS Linnaeus. Tree Squirrels 



The tree squirrels of the genus Sciurus inhabiting Panan)a are 

 easily recognizable by larger size, when contrasted with the genera 

 Microsciurus and Syntheosciurus. Generic distinction, however, is 

 based mainly on dental characters. Sciurus differs from Micro- 

 sciurus notably in the presence of small cusps intermediate in position 

 between the larger tubercles on the outer side in the upper molariform 

 teeth, and from Syntheosciurus in the absence of grooved upper 

 incisors. 



Subgenus SCIURUS Linnaeus 

 SCIURUS VARIEGATOIDES HELVEOLUS Goldman 



Panama Squirrel 



[Plate 29, figs. 2, 2a\ 



Sciurus variegatoides helveolus Goldman, Smiths. Misc. Coll., Vol. 56, 

 No. 36, p. 3, Fel)ruary 19, 1912. Type from Corozal, Canal Zone, 

 Panama. 



This large squirrel is amply distinguished from others inhabiting 

 the region by the long black and white tail, the individual hairs of 

 which are broadly tipped with the latter color. The limbs and under- 

 parts are paler than in the allied forms, Sciurus variegatoides varie- 

 gatoides and S. variegatoides dorsalis, in the color phase with 

 grizzled back. Its distribution area is the arid division lying along 

 the Pacific coast from the vicinity of the city of Panama westward 

 as far as Remedios where a specimen probably referable to this form 

 has been recorded by Allen (1904, p. 66). 



The squirrels of the S. variegatoides group are very imperfectly 

 known. Several rather localized forms are recognized which in color 

 present a remarkably wide range of individual variation. Large 

 series of typical examjjles are much needed to make clear many 



'Collection Amcr. Mus. Nat. Hist. 



