Distribution of the Sunda Colugo (Galeopterus variegatus.
Current taxonomy recognizes just two colugo species, each assigned to a unique genus: the Sunda colugo (Galeopterus variegatus) and the Philippine colugo (Cynocephalus volans). Because the evolutionary history of colugos is poorly known we undertook the first study to examine genetic variation in the broadly distributed Sunda colugo.The Sunda Colugo lemur (also known as Sunda flying lemur) is a Colugo species. It is also known as Malayan colugo or Malayan flying lemur. Colugo means arboreal gliding mammal, which is a small group having only two species; the Sunda flying lemur and the Philippine flying lemur.The Sunda Colugo, sometimes referred to as a flying lemur, is a rare and extremely unusual animal dependent on a highly specific habitat type.
There is not much information available on the distribution of the Sunda colugo (Galeopterus variegates) in Malaysia, despite it being one of only two known species in the order Dermoptera.Data on the presence of the Sunda colugo and the vernacular names used by various ethnic groups throughout Malaysia were collected and compiled from various primary and secondary sources.The Colugo on a tree The Colugos are rather vary, nocturnal creatures that mostly lead a solitary life, except for mothers with their young. They have amazing gliding skills, being able to glide more than 70 metres (230 feet) from one tree to another with minimal loss of height, in search of leaves, fruit and flowers, which they mostly feed on.
Ten years ago, while writing a review of frugivory and seed dispersal, I did a comprehensive search of the literature for information on the diet of the Sunda Colugo (Galeopterus variegatus). Bill Wischusen’s PhD study of the Philippine colugo ( Cynocephalus volans ) had shown that this species was largely folivorous, but almost nothing seemed to be known about the ecology of the Sunda species.
