Pseudochirops albertisii (Peters, 1874)

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 : 528-529

16.

D’Albertis’s Ring-tailed Possum

Pseudochirops albertisii

French: Possum de dAlbertis / German: LanghaarRingbeutler / Spanish: Falangero de cola anillada de Albertis

Other common names: DAlbertis’s Ringtail, D’Albertis’s Ringtail Possum

Taxonomy. Phalangista (Pseudochirus) albertisit Peters, 1874 ,

Indonesia, Prov. of Papua (= Irian Jaya), Vogelkop , Manokwari Div. , Arfak Mtns , Hatam , 1520 m.

This species seems to be polytypic and up to three subspecies have been named; however, it is poorly known and needs a taxonomic revision. Monotypic.

Distribution. N New Guinea Mts, in Bird's Head (= Vogelkop), Weyland, Foja, and Cyclops ranges, and in Papua New Guinea N Coastal Ranges; also in Yapen Is.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 29-34 cm, tail 29-32 cm; weight 640-875 g. D’Albertis’s Ring-tailed Possum differs from the Reclusive Ring-tailed Possum ( P. coronatus ), with which it is most similar, in being smaller and having shorter body fur but longer fur on its tail. Ventral fur of the D’Albertis’s Ring-tailed Possum is pale rather than dark gray, and teeth are much smaller than in the Reclusive Ring-tailed Possum.

Habitat. Moss forests at elevations of 1000-1900 m, with isolated populations separated by low-elevation forests. In the Arfak Mountains, D’Albertis’s Ring-tailed Possum inhabits secondary forests near villages at ¢.1300 m in elevation, although elsewhere it inhabits primary forests at 1000-1500 m. In the Torricelli Mountains, D’Albertis’s Ring-tailed Possum is restricted to small areas of suitable habitat on the highest peaks.

Food and Feeding. Little is known about the diet of D’Albertis’s Ring-tailed Possum, but stomach contents have revealed leaves, fruits, and buds of fig trees ( Ficus sp. ).

Breeding. Lactating female D’Albertis’s Ring-tailed Possums have been found in March (with single newborn young), July (no young seen), and September (with young having a head-body length of 8-9 cm).

Activity patterns. D’Albertis’s Ring-tailed Possums are nocturnal, and during the day, they have been found resting in forks of trees and on the ground under logs. They are not known to use tree hollows, which are frequently used by other New Guinean ring-tailed possums.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no information available for this species.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Near Threatened on The IUCN Red List. Population trends of D’Albertis’s Ring-tailed Possum are decreasing. It is under threat from local people who hunt it for food and by habitatloss in the northern coastal part ofits distribution through conversion offorest to cultivated land.

Bibliography. Flannery (1994a, 1995a, 1995b), Helgen, Dickman & Salas (2008d), Hume et al. (1984).

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. N New Guinea Mts, in Bird's Head (= Vogelkop), Weyland, Foja, and Cyclops ranges, and in Papua New Guinea N Coastal Ranges; also in Yapen Is.