Pseudochirops archeri (Collett, 1884)

Russell A. Mittermeier & Don E. Wilson, 2015, Pseudocheiridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 5 Monotremes and Marsupials, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 498-530 : 529

17.

Green Ring-tailed Possum

Pseudochirops archeri

French: Possum d’Archer / German: Griiner Ringbeutler / Spanish: Falangero de cola anillada verdoso

Other common names: Green Ringtail, Green Ringtail Possum

Taxonomy. Phalangista (Pseudochirus) archeri Collett, 1884 ,

“ Northern Queensland,” Australia .

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. NE Australia, N Queensland from 120 km NW Cairns, on the Mt Windsor Tableland to Paluma (N of Townsville).

Descriptive notes. Head-body 32-40 cm, tail 30-36 cm; weight 0-91.1-5 kg. Fur of the Green Ring-tailed Possum has a distinctive greenish appearance dorsally (due to mix of black, yellow, and white hairs), and there are patches of white fur under each eye and ear, unlike any other species of ring-tailed possums. The Green Ringtailed Possum has three stripes down its back; the central one is black and there are pale ones on eitherside.

Habitat. Dense high-elevation rainforests of the wet tropics region of north-eastern Queensland. The Green Ring-tailed Possum occursin isolated and non-isolated forest remnants and in primary forest and regrowth.

Food and Feeding. The Green Ring-tailed Possum is primarily folivorous and is known to feed on leaves of a large number of species of rainforest trees, vines, and shrubs. One study revealed the two most important species were Sankey’s walnut ( Endiandra sankeyana, Lauraceae ) and strangler fig ( Ficus watkinsiana, Moraceae ), followed by water vine ( Cissus hypoglauca, Vitaceae ); bollywood ( Litsea leefeana, Lauraceae ); banana fig ( Ficus pleurocarpa, Moraceae ); rose maple ( Cryptocarya rigida , Lauraceae ); silky oak ( Carnarvonia sp ) and Lamington’s silky oak ( Helicia lamingtoniana), both Proteaceae ; red ash ( Alphitonia whitei, Rhamnaceae ), and green nightshade ( Solanum viride, Solanaceae ). Other species known to be fed on in different amounts include candlenut ( Aleurites moluccanus, Euphorbiaceae ); red tulip oak ( Argyrodendron peralatum, Malvaceae ); rose tamarind ( Arytera divaricata, Sapindaceae ); flame kurrajong ( Brachychiton acerifolius, Sterculiaceae ); pepperwood ( Cinnamomum sp. , Lauraceae ); kangaroo vine ( Cissus antarctica, Vitaceae ); shining-leafed stinging tree ( Dendrocnide photinophylla, Urticaceae ); mistletoe ( Dendrophthoe spp. , Loranthaceae ); millaa vine ( Elaeagnus triflora, Elaeagnaceae ); plentiful fig ( Ficus copiosa) and white sandpaper fig (Ficusfraseri), both Moraceae ; glycine ( Glycine spp. , Fabaceae ); zig-zag vine ( Melodorum leichhardtii, Annonaceae ); false stinger ( Pipturus argenteus, Urticaceae ); woolly nightshade ( Solanum mauritianum, Solanaceae ); and Christmas vine ( Turbina corymbosa, Convolvulaceae ).

Breeding. The pouch of the female Green Ring-tailed Possum contains two teats. They typically give birth to a single young that may be born at any time during the year, although there is a weak peak around July. Young permanently exit the pouch at ¢.200 days of age and may follow their mothers “at heel” for an extended period. They are thought to be weaned at 100 or more days after leaving the pouch. The mother-young association of 300-360 days is longer than for most species of pseudocheirids.

Activity patterns. Although Green Ring-tailed Possums are typically nocturnal, they are occasionally active during the day. They are almost always solitary, and adults are not known to vocalize. Young individuals make a quiet hissing call. Because Green Ringtailed Possums do not use dens, they lack a focal point to maintain family cohesion.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Green Ring-tailed Possums are primarily solitary, with 94% of observations being of lone individuals. In one-third of observations, individuals are only 6-10 m above the ground. Unlike other ringtailed possums that make use of hollows in trees, the Green Ring-tailed Possum rests on branches in the canopy during the day. Average density has been estimated at 0-36 ind/ha, with a maximum of 1-3 ind/ha. Highest densities occur on basalt areas at 800-1200 m in elevation. Green Ring-tailed Possums are rarely found below 300 m in elevation. Rufous owls (Ninox rufa) and Spotted-tailed Quolls (Dasyurus maculatus) are known predators, and greater sooty-owls (7yto tenebricosa), amethystine pythons ( Morelia amethistina), and carpet pythons ( Morelia spilota ) are potential predators.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Green Ring-tailed Possum has some degree of tolerance to habitat fragmentation because it can move along the ground between patches of habitat.

Bibliography. Burnett & Winter (2008d), Flannery (1994a), Goudberg (1990), Jones & Krockenberger (2007), Jones et al. (2006), Laurance & Laurance (1999), Winter & Atherton (1984), Winter, Krockenberger & Moore (2008).

Figures

13. Western Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis), 14. Eastern Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus), 15. Rock Ring-tailed Possum (Petropseudes dahl), 16. D’Albertis’s Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudochirops albertisii), 17. Green Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudochirops archeri), 18. Plush-coated Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudochirops corinnae), 19. Reclusive Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudochirops coronatus), 20. Coppery Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudochirops cupreus)

Distribution. NE Australia, N Queensland from 120 km NW Cairns, on the Mt Windsor Tableland to Paluma (N of Townsville).