130 



II. MAMMALS. 



By H. C. ROBINSON, c.M.z.s., and C. BODEN KLOSS, f.z.s. 



The mammalian fauna of Koh Samui and Koh Pennan proved, 

 disappointing" and the islands are noteworthy rather for the species 

 that are not repi^esented than for those that do actually occur. 



It may safely be asserted that they have dei'ived their fauna 

 fi^om those districts of the Peninsula immediately adjacent : for 

 instance the onl}- squirrels pi-esent are forms of the continental 

 Sc. concolor and a species of Giant squirrel closely related to the 

 mainland form. R.7n. peninsulx. No Rhinoscivms is known nor are 

 races of Scuirus tenuis, Sciiirus vittatus or 8c. nigrovittatus. Flying- 

 squirrels, a characteristic feature of the fauna of many of the local 

 islands, may definitely be stated to be absent, and the same is the 

 case with two other characteristic flying mammals — viz., Galeopterus 

 and bats of the spectrum section of Pteropus, which are known from 

 almost every other island of the China Sea. Indeed for some obscure 

 reason bats of all species were practically absent and, with the exception 

 of the universally distributed Cynopterus, only one other individual, 

 probably an Emballonure, was even seen. Wild pig's were reported 

 on both islands but they were almost certainly only feral specimens 

 of the local Siamo-Chinese breed. 



Leaf-monkeys occurred on Koh Samui but have now been eaten 

 out. The Kra (Macaca irus) was found on both islands but was rare 

 and shy, while M. nemestrina is stated on native authority to be found 

 on Koh Pennan. Captive specimens were seen but their provenance 

 was uncertain and tliey had not improbably been brought from the 

 adjacent mainland. 



Mouse-deer were absent from both islands ; barking-deer occur on 

 Koh Samui (not on Koh Pennan) but are assiduously' shot by the 

 native population ; an immature specimen was obtained b}^ us, but 

 affording no differential chai'acters, was not preserved. 



Ottei's were common and the duyong is occasionally found in 

 shallow bays on the western side of Koh Samui. 



1. PRESBYTIS OBSCURA HALONIFER. Cantor. 

 3 (? , 2 ? , o <? immature. 



No monkeys of this genus occur on Koh Samui, though they 

 were comparatively common but very wild on Koh Pennan. 



The series of five adults differ considerably iriter se. Two old 

 females in somewhat worn pelage have the pileum strongly tinged 

 with yellowish, a marked median bronzy line on the back, and 

 a pale yellowish- white area at the base of the thighs. The males 

 are darker and greyer, the yellowish tinge is absent fi'om the cap 

 and the bronzy median line is practically absent in two specimens 

 though just visible in the third. 



