Southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 14
Glaucomys volans
southern flying squirrel - Great Lakes Plains population
petit polatouche
Range of Occurrence in Canada: Ontario and Quebec
Extent and Area Information
| Extent of occurrence (EO) (km2) Calculated as Minimum Convex Polygon of known locations in Great Lakes (Ontario / Québec) population |
Ontario / Québec: ~160 000 km2 |
| Specify trend in EO | ON: medium term (decades) – probably increasing; year-to-year – prone to fluctuations at northern range limit QC: unknown |
| Are there extreme fluctuations in EO? | Possible at northern range limit |
| Area of occupancy (AO) (km2) | unknown |
| Specify trend in AO | Unknown |
| Are there extreme fluctuations in AO? | Possible at northern range limit |
| Number of known or inferred current locations | unknown |
| Specify trend in # | overall, probably stable |
| Are there extreme fluctuations in number of locations? | Possible at northern range limit |
| Specify trend in area, extent or quality of habitat | Variable but overall probably stable |
Population Information
| Generation time (average age of parents in the population) | 1.5 years |
| Number of mature individuals | unknown |
| Total population trend | unknown |
| % decline over the last/next 10 years or 3 generations | unknown |
| Are there extreme fluctuations in number of mature individuals? | No, but range in Ontario may vary widely according to winter weather |
| Is the total population severely fragmented? | Southwestern ON: yes (except Norfolk Co) Central / Eastern ON: probably not QC: unknown. |
| Specify trend in number of populations | stable |
| Are there extreme fluctuations in number of populations? | no |
| List populations with number of mature individuals in each | |
Threats (actual or imminent threats to populations or habitats)
habitat loss. Specifically,
- removal of mature hardwood mast trees (particularly oak, beech and hickory)
- removal of cavity trees
predation by domestic cats
- removal of mature hardwood mast trees (particularly oak, beech and hickory)
- removal of cavity trees
predation by domestic cats
Rescue Effect (immigration from an outside source)
| Status of outside population(s)? USA: Secure (N5) Michigan: S5 New York: S5 Vermont: S4 New Hampshire: S5 |
|
| Is immigration known or possible? | Very limited. Only across Québec – USA border south of St. Lawrence R., where their presence is unknown on both sides of border. |
| Would immigrants be adapted to survive in Canada? | yes |
| Is there sufficient habitat for immigrants in Canada? | yes |
| Is rescue from outside populations likely? | no |
Quantitative Analysis
not conducted
Current Status
COSEWIC: Special Concern, 1988
Not at Risk, 2006
Not at Risk, 2006
Status and Reasons for Designation
| Status: Not at Risk |
Alpha-numeric code: n/a |
| Reasons for Designation: Southern flying squirrels are small inconspicuous nocturnal forest-dwelling rodents with impressive gliding ability. They are difficult to distinguish from the northern flying squirrel. Dedicated sampling programs have generally revealed greater abundance and range than previously assumed. Its known area of occupancy has expanded. Habitat loss through deforestation and fragmentation of remaining forest may lead to extirpation of some local populations in the southern part of its range in Ontario, but does not currently pose a threat to the persistence of this population. The overall trend in habitat availability is stable or positive. Recent research in Ontario has revealed a much wider range of suitable habitat and reported a substantial range expansion. There is little information on this squirrel from Quebec as there have been no directed surveys for this species. |
|
Applicability of Criteria
Criterion A (Declining Total Population):
There is no evidence of a declining trend, although numbers and range can decrease substantially following harsh winters.
There is no evidence of a declining trend, although numbers and range can decrease substantially following harsh winters.
Criterion B (Small Distribution, and Decline or Fluctuation):
Extent of occurrence is over 150 000 km2 and there is no clear evidence of decline. The exact extent of fluctuations due to harsh winters is unknown, but recolonization following local extirpation appears rapid.
Extent of occurrence is over 150 000 km2 and there is no clear evidence of decline. The exact extent of fluctuations due to harsh winters is unknown, but recolonization following local extirpation appears rapid.
Criterion C (Small Total Population Size and Decline):
Total population size is unknown but likely in the thousands. No evidence of decline, range of suitable habitat appears greater than previously thought.
Total population size is unknown but likely in the thousands. No evidence of decline, range of suitable habitat appears greater than previously thought.
Criterion D (Very Small Population or Restricted Distribution):
Total population size is unknown but likely in the thousands.
Total population size is unknown but likely in the thousands.
Criterion E (Quantitative Analysis):
Not available.
Not available.
Glaucomys volans
southern flying squirrel - Atlantic (Nova Scotia) population
petit polatouche
Range of Occurrence in Canada: Nova Scotia
Extent and Area Information
| Extent of occurrence (EO) (km2) Calculated as Minimum Convex Polygon of known locations |
6300 km2 |
| Specify trend in EO | probably stable |
| Are there extreme fluctuations in EO? | No |
| Area of occupancy (AO) (km2) | unknown |
| Specify trend in AO | probably stable |
| Are there extreme fluctuations in AO? | unknown |
| Number of known or inferred current locations | unknown |
| Specify trend in # | Probably stable |
| Are there extreme fluctuations in number of locations? | unknown |
| Specify trend in area, extent or quality of habitat | decreasing |
Population Information
| Generation time (average age of parents in the population) | 1.5 years |
| Number of mature individuals | unknown |
| Total population trend | unknown |
| % decline over the last/next 10 years or 3 generations | unknown |
| Are there extreme fluctuations in number of mature individuals? | unknown |
| Is the total population severely fragmented? | unlikely |
| Specify trend in number of populations | probably stable |
| Are there extreme fluctuations in number of populations? | unlikely |
| List populations with number of mature individuals in each | |
Threats (actual or imminent threats to populations or habitats)
habitat loss. Specifically,
- conversion of mature hardwood and mixedwood forests to conifer stands
- removal of mature hardwood mast trees (particularly oak, beech and hickory)
- removal of cavity trees
predation by domestic cats
- conversion of mature hardwood and mixedwood forests to conifer stands
- removal of mature hardwood mast trees (particularly oak, beech and hickory)
- removal of cavity trees
predation by domestic cats
Rescue Effect (immigration from an outside source)
| Status of outside population(s)? USA: Secure (N5) Maine: SU |
|
| Is immigration known or possible? | no |
| Would immigrants be adapted to survive in Canada? | yes |
| Is there sufficient habitat for immigrants in Canada? | yes |
| Is rescue from outside populations likely? | no |
Quantitative Analysis
not conducted
Current Status
COSEWIC: Special Concern, 1988
Not at Risk, 2006
Not at Risk, 2006
Status and Reasons for Designation
| Status: Not at Risk |
Alpha-numeric code: n/a |
| Reasons for Designation: Southern flying squirrels are small inconspicuous nocturnal forest-dwelling rodents with impressive gliding ability. They are difficult to distinguish from the northern flying squirrel. In Nova Scotia, the southern species was first detected in 1971, and until 2001, was only known from seven sites. New recent research located southern flying squirrels in 32 locations and over a much wider area in the southern part of the province than expected. Like a number of species in Nova Scotia, it is at the north of its range and disjunct. Habitat loss through deforestation and fragmentation of intact forest may lead to extirpation of some local populations, but does not currently pose a threat to the species’ persistence and the population appears stable. |
|
Applicability of Criteria
Criterion A (Declining Total Population):
There is no evidence of a declining trend, although numbers and range can decrease substantially following harsh winters.
There is no evidence of a declining trend, although numbers and range can decrease substantially following harsh winters.
Criterion B (Small Distribution, and Decline or Fluctuation):
Extent of occurrence is 6500 km2 and there is no clear evidence of decline.
Extent of occurrence is 6500 km2 and there is no clear evidence of decline.
Criterion C (Small Total Population Size and Decline):
Total population size is unknown but likely in the thousands. No evidence of decline, range of suitable habitat appears greater than previously thought.
Total population size is unknown but likely in the thousands. No evidence of decline, range of suitable habitat appears greater than previously thought.
Criterion D (Very Small Population or Restricted Distribution):
Total population size is unknown but likely in the thousands.
Total population size is unknown but likely in the thousands.
Criterion E (Quantitative Analysis):
Not available.
Not available.
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