Siberian flying squirrel in Lapua, Finland. © Pekka Takamaa 
In the lab: Gerrit Wehrenberg, Angelika Kiebler & Stefan Prost. 
Siberian flying squirrel in Lapua, Finland. © Pekka Takamaa 
Siberian flying squirrel droppings in Syöte, Finland. 
Non-invasive sampling of droppings in Syöte, Finland. 
Non-invasive sampling of droppings in Syöte, Finland. 
Non-invasive sampling of droppings in Syöte, Finland. 
Genetic sampling from museum specimen in Oulu, Finland. 
Siberian flying squirrels in Lapua, Finland. © Pekka Takamaa 
Siberian flying squirrels in Lapua, Finland. © Pekka Takamaa 
Siberian flying squirrel in Lapua, Finland. © Pekka Takamaa 
Siberian flying squirrel in urban area in Espoo, Finland. © Paul Stevens 
Siberian flying squirrel in Espoo, Finland. © Paul Stevens
In this project, we study the population genetics and genomics of the Siberian flying squirrel, Pteromys volans.
The Siberian flying squirrel is the only species of flying squirrel in Europe, and its populations have been rapidly declining over the last few decades. Within the EU, it is now only found within Finland, and a small population of about 300 individuals remains in Estonia.
Our research focuses on (1) uncovering the population structure and historic phylogeography of the species, (2) understanding the genetic health and adaptive potential in the standing population, and (3) studying flying squirrel subpopulation connectivity via landscape genetics – for example to identify movement corridors and barriers in forests and urban environments.
Last but not least, we are developing new molecular monitoring tools to aid and improve current monitoring and managing practices within Finland, Estonia, and the captive ex-situ populations of Siberian flying squirrel within Europe.
Conservation needs a strong connection between science, policy, and the public. Thus, we are open to any concerns or inquiries from various sectors and have launched a citizen science project to directly involve stakeholders and nature enthusiasts in our research. Feel free to reach out!
Funding
Collaboration Partners
Worked on by
Students
Kurmi Solís Gómez
Paloma Solís Gómez
Noora Tammisto
James Kirk
Citizen Science
Feel free to check out & get involved in our…
> Flying Squirrel Citizen Science Project
Publications
2025
Peer-reviewed Publication: Wehrenberg, G., Kiebler, A., Greve, C., Beltrán-Sanz, N., Ben Hamadou, A., Meißner, R., Winter, S., & Prost, S. (2025). A Prelude to Conservation Genomics: First Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly of a Flying Squirrel (Pteromyini: Pteromys volans). Ecology and Evolution, e71905. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71905Peer-reviewed Publication: Ito, F., Lilley, T.M., Laine, V.N., Prost, S., Kurhinen, J.P., Susi, H., Gashev, S.N., Saveljev, A.P., Bondarchuk, S.N., Babina, S.G., Shishikin, A.S., Tirski, D., Vasina, A.L., Karpin, V.A. and Kekkonen, J.A. (2025). Population structure of the endangered Siberian flying squirrel Pteromys volans revealed by genomic and mitochondrial data. Wildlife Biology, e01464. https://doi.org/10.1002/wlb3.01464 Completed Theses
Master's Thesis: Kiebler, A. (2025). Population genetics of the Siberian flying squirrel (Pteromys volans) in Finland using whole mitochondrial genomes. https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:oulu-202504142578Outreach
Blog Posts
Documentaries
Online and Print Media
TV Report: Korkala, H. (2025). Oululaistutkijat ratkaisivat liito-oravan perimän ensimmäisinä maailmassa – tätä se tarkoittaa. Yle, 20.11.2025. (Finnish)Press Release: University of Helsinki (2025). New study reveals urgent conservation needs for Siberian flying squirrel. University of Helsinki, 08.07.2025. (English/Finnish)Magazine Article: Wehrenberg, G. & Kiebler, A. (2025). Aufruf: Artenschutzforschung für Flughörnchen braucht Hilfe. Eliomys 1/2025, 14-15. (German)