MammalBase - Accepted taxon: Heliosciurus gambianus

Accepted taxon: Heliosciurus gambianus
Taxon:	Heliosciurus gambianus
Rank:	Species
Higher Classification:	RODENTIA \| SCIUROMORPHA \| Sciuridae \| Xerinae \| Protoxerini \| Heliosciurus
Reference:	Wilson, Don E., and DeeAnn M. Reeder, eds. Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed), JHU Press, 2005.

Fig.1 - Ternary plot of the proximate analysis for the Heliosciurus gambianus diet.
CF (Crude Fibre) 10, ASH (Ash contents) 5, NFE (Nitrogen-Free-Extract) 47, CP (Crude Protein) 26, EE (Ether Extract) 12. See details for the calculations in Lintulaakso, K., Tatti, N. and Žliobaitė, I., 2022. Quantifying mammalian diets. Mammalian Biology, pp.1-15. [DOI]

Table 1. List of Diet Items for Heliosciurus gambianus.
TSN Complete name	Part	Ratio ^a.	Reference(s)
Magnoliopsida	FRUIT	33.33	Damuth, J…
Magnoliopsida	SEED	26.67	Damuth, J…
Acacia	SEED	20.00	Damuth, J…
Vertebrata	EGGS	13.33	Damuth, J…
Aves	WHOLE	6.67	Damuth, J…

^a. Standardized values. See details for the calculations in Lintulaakso, K., Tatti, N. and Žliobaitė, I., 2022. Quantifying mammalian diets. Mammalian Biology, pp.1-15. [DOI]

Table 2. List of Standard Traits for Heliosciurus gambianus.
Trait	Selected Value	All Value(s)	Reference(s)
Locomotion: Eisenberg 1981	Arboreal	Arboreal	Virginia …

Table 3. List of Standard Measurements for Heliosciurus gambianus.
Measurement	Location	Unit	n Total	n Unknown	n Female	n Male	Min	Mean	Max	SD	Reference(s)
Body Mass (BM)	Central Africa	g	-	-	-	-	250	300	350	-	Amori,G.,…
Body Mass (BM)	nan	g	-	-	-	-	132	-	413	-	Freudenth…

Table 4. List of other Measurements ^b. for Heliosciurus gambianus.
Measurement	Location	Unit	n Total	n Unknown	n Female	n Male	Min	Mean	Max	SD	Reference(s)
distance between the most medial points of the most rostral left and right mental foramen (RMF)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	5	-	1	Igado, O.…
distance between the most medial points of the most rostral left and right mental foramen (RMF)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	5	-	1	Igado, O.…
distance from the rostral tip of the nasal bone to the rostral tip of the incisive bone (NIL)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	13	-	1	Igado, O.…
distance from the rostral tip of the nasal bone to the rostral tip of the incisive bone (NIL)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	15	-	2	Igado, O.…
foramen magnum index (FMI) was calculated as (FMH/FMW) × 100 and expressed in percentage	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	unitless	6	-	-	6	-	90	-	4	Igado, O.…
foramen magnum index (FMI) was calculated as (FMH/FMW) × 100 and expressed in percentage	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	unitless	3	-	3	-	-	93	-	18	Igado, O.…
height of the foramen magnum (FMH)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	6	-	1	Igado, O.…
height of the foramen magnum (FMH)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	6	-	0	Igado, O.…
height of the mandibular body between the mid-point of premolar 1 and 2 and the mandibular base (HMP)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	8	-	1	Igado, O.…
height of the mandibular body between the mid-point of premolar 1 and 2 and the mandibular base (HMP)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	7	-	1	Igado, O.…
height of the mandibular symphysis (HSPh)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	4	-	1	Igado, O.…
height of the mandibular symphysis (HSPh)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	5	-	1	Igado, O.…
length along a horizontal line, from the ventral limit of the mandibular foramen to the caudal border of the mandible (MFCB)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	9	-	1	Igado, O.…
length along a horizontal line, from the ventral limit of the mandibular foramen to the caudal border of the mandible (MFCB)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	10	-	1	Igado, O.…
length along a vertical line, from the ventral limit of the mandibular foramen to the base of the mandible (MFMB)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	8	-	1	Igado, O.…
length along a vertical line, from the ventral limit of the mandibular foramen to the base of the mandible (MFMB)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	8	-	1	Igado, O.…
length along a vertical line, from the ventral limit of the mandibular foramen to the most dorsal aspect of the coronoid process (MFCP)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	6	-	1	Igado, O.…
length along a vertical line, from the ventral limit of the mandibular foramen to the most dorsal aspect of the coronoid process (MFCP)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	6	-	0	Igado, O.…
length along a vertical line, from the ventral limit of the mental foramen to the ventral border of the mandibular foramen (MFMF)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	15	-	1	Igado, O.…
length along a vertical line, from the ventral limit of the mental foramen to the ventral border of the mandibular foramen (MFMF)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	15	-	1	Igado, O.…
length of palate (PAL)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	32	-	4	Igado, O.…
length of palate (PAL)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	33	-	1	Igado, O.…
length of parietal bone (FNE)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	16	-	2	Igado, O.…
length of parietal bone (FNE)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	16	-	1	Igado, O.…
length of the lower jaw from the most rostral point of the dental bone to the most caudal projection of the angular process (MDL-3)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	26	-	1	Igado, O.…
length of the lower jaw from the most rostral point of the dental bone to the most caudal projection of the angular process (MDL-3)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	28	-	0	Igado, O.…
length of the lower jaw from the most rostral point of the dental bone to the most caudal projection of the coronoid process (MDL-1)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	25	-	3	Igado, O.…
length of the lower jaw from the most rostral point of the dental bone to the most caudal projection of the coronoid process (MDL-1)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	26	-	1	Igado, O.…
length of the lower jaw from the most rostral point of the dental bone to the most caudal projection of the mandibular condyle (condylar process) (MDL-2)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	28	-	1	Igado, O.…
length of the lower jaw from the most rostral point of the dental bone to the most caudal projection of the mandibular condyle (condylar process) (MDL-2)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	30	-	1	Igado, O.…
length of the mandible between the cranial and caudal angles (RAM)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	9	-	1	Igado, O.…
length of the mandible between the cranial and caudal angles (RAM)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	8	-	4	Igado, O.…
length of the mandibular bone (MDL)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	26	-	2	Igado, O.…
length of the mandibular bone (MDL)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	20	-	1	Igado, O.…
length of the mandibular symphysis (LSPh)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	4	-	1	Igado, O.…
length of the mandibular symphysis (LSPh)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	4	-	0	Igado, O.…
mandibular symphysial length (MSL)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	5	-	1	Igado, O.…
mandibular symphysial length (MSL)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	4	-	0	Igado, O.…
maximum width of the occipital condyles (OCW)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	20	-	2	Igado, O.…
maximum width of the occipital condyles (OCW)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	20	-	1	Igado, O.…
maximum width of the skull (MWS)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	23	-	3	Igado, O.…
maximum width of the skull (MWS)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	25	-	1	Igado, O.…
occipital height (OCH)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	12	-	1	Igado, O.…
occipital height (OCH)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	13	-	0	Igado, O.…
occipital height without foramen magnum (OCHW)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	6	-	1	Igado, O.…
occipital height without foramen magnum (OCHW)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	7	-	1	Igado, O.…
orbital height/vertical diameter (OVD)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	11	-	1	Igado, O.…
orbital height/vertical diameter (OVD)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	13	-	3	Igado, O.…
orbital width/horizontal diameter (OHD)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	16	-	2	Igado, O.…
orbital width/horizontal diameter (OHD)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	18	-	0	Igado, O.…
overall length of the nasal bone (NBL)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	13	-	1	Igado, O.…
overall length of the nasal bone (NBL)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	14	-	3	Igado, O.…
skull height without the mandible (SHWM 1)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	18	-	2	Igado, O.…
skull height without the mandible (SHWM 1)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	17	-	2	Igado, O.…
thickness of mandible at molar 1 (TM-1)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	6	-	1	Igado, O.…
thickness of mandible at molar 1 (TM-1)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	6	-	0	Igado, O.…
total length of the frontal bone (FBL)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	19	-	0	Igado, O.…
total length of the frontal bone (FBL)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	18	-	4	Igado, O.…
whole skull height (WSH)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	25	-	2	Igado, O.…
whole skull height (WSH)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	23	-	3	Igado, O.…
whole skull length (WSL)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	45	-	2	Igado, O.…
whole skull length (WSL)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	46	-	3	Igado, O.…
width of the foramen magnum (FMW)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	6	-	-	6	-	7	-	1	Igado, O.…
width of the foramen magnum (FMW)	University of Ibadan environment, Nigeria	mm	3	-	3	-	-	7	-	1	Igado, O.…

^b. other Measurements. Source Measurements which are not listed on or mapped with the Standard Traits..

Table 5. List of Data Sources for Heliosciurus gambianus.
Taxon	Reference	Match	Status
Heliosciurus gambianus	Hayssen,V., 2008, Patterns of body and tail length and body mass in Sciuridae, Journal of mammalogy	1: Exact Taxon match	Verified - Accepted
Heliosciurus gambianus	Nowak,R. M., 1991, Walker's mammals of the world,	1: Exact Taxon match	Verified - Accepted
Heliosciurus gambianus	Amori,G., 2002, Rodents and the bushmeat harvest in Central Africa, Links between biodiversity conservation, livelihoods and food security: the sustainable use of wild meat.Occasional Paper of the IUCN Species Survival Commission	1: Exact Taxon match	Verified - Accepted
Heliosciurus gambianus	Damuth, J. 2010. ABSOLUT 6 a mammalian database compiled by the national center for ecological analysis and synthesis (NCEAS ) workshop on mammalian communities.	1: Exact Taxon match	Verified - Accepted
Heliosciurus gambianus	Igado, O.O., Femi-Akinlosotu, O.M. and Akibu, A.O., 2023. Macroanatomical investigations of the skulls of both genders of Heliosciurus gambianus (Gambian sun squirrel) and Funisciurus anerythrus (Thomas’s rope squirrel). The Journal of Basic and Applied Zoology, 84(1), pp.1-9.	1: Exact Taxon match	Verified - Accepted
Heliosciurus gambianus	DeMers, A.C., 2023. Functional Significance of the Mandible, Tooth Roots, and Tooth Crowns, and their Implications for Fossil Dietary Inference (Doctoral dissertation, The Ohio State University).	1: Exact Taxon match	Verified - Accepted
Heliosciurus gambianus	Freudenthal, M. and Martín-Suárez, E., 2013. Estimating body mass of fossil rodents. Scripta Geologica, 145, pp.1-513.	1: Exact Taxon match	Verified - Accepted

Citation for this page: [The MammalBase community 2025. / CC BY 4.0. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7462864 Heliosciurus gambianus , Accessed 30th September 2025 at https://mammalbase.net/me/6937]