The names of the Dusky Striped Squirrel (Funambulus obscurus, Sciuridae) and Kathleen Ryley in the Bombay Natural History Society’s Mammal Survey

Abstract

We review the history of the Sri Lankan squirrel Funambulus obscurus in the context of the Bombay Natural History Society’s Mammal Survey of South Asia. Kathleen Ryley (1883–1935), who helped to compile the results of the Survey, was among the earliest women to name a species of mammal. She was the first to recognise the Sri Lankan species as distinct from its closest relative in southern India. This decision has been confirmed by recent research, but her chosen name for the species is no longer considered valid. We record the rediscovery of the holotype specimen of F. obscurus in Vienna, confirming its identity. We suggest the common name “Dusky Striped Squirrel” for the Sri Lankan F. obscurus and “Pygmy Striped Squirrel” for the Indian Funambulus sublineatus.