Fluorescence of visible wavelengths under ultraviolet (UV) light has been previously detected in a wide range of birds, reptiles, and amphibians and a few marsupial mammals. Here, we report the discovery of vivid UV fluorescence of the pelage in Glaucomys, the New World flying squirrels. Fluorescence in varying intensities of pink was observed in females and males of all extant species (G. oregonensis, G. sabrinus, and G. volans) across all sampled geographic areas in North and Central America and a temporal range of 130 years. We observed fluorescence in museum specimens (n = 109) and wild individuals (n = 5) on both dorsal and ventral surfaces. Museum specimens of three co-occurring, diurnal sciurid species (Sciurus carolinensis, S. niger, and Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) were also examined but did not fluoresce. The ecological significance of this trait in the nocturnal–crepuscular flying squirrels warrants further investigation.
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23 January 2019
Ultraviolet fluorescence discovered in New World flying squirrels (Glaucomys)
Allison M. Kohler,
Erik R. Olson,
Jonathan G. Martin,
Paula Spaeth Anich
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Journal of Mammalogy
Vol. 100 • No. 1
March 2019
Vol. 100 • No. 1
March 2019
crepuscular
fluorescence
flying squirrels
Glaucomys oregonensis
Glaucomys sabrinus
Glaucomys volans
museum specimens