Pseudocheirus peregrinus (Boddaert, 1785)

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 : 527-528

14.

Eastern Ring-tailed Possum

Pseudocheirus peregrinus

French: Possum du Queensland / German: Ostlicher Ringelschwanzbeutler / Spanish: Falangero de cola anillada oriental

Other common names: Common Ringtail, Common Ringtail Possum, Queensland Ringtail, Ringtail Possum

Taxonomy. Didelphis peregrinus Boddaert, 1785 ,

“ flumen Endeavour [= Queensland, Australia].”

Diversity of P. peregrinus suggests it might be a species complex and probably it needs a taxonomic revision. Four subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

P.p.peregrinusBoddaert,1785—NE&EAustralia,fromCapeYorkPeninsulatoSEQueensland.

P.p.convolutorSchinz,1821—Tasmania,includingKingI,FurneauxGroupIs(Flinders,CapeBarren),andMariaIs.

P.p.cookiiDesmarest,1818—SEAustralia,fromCNewSouthWalestoextremeSEofSouthAustralia.

P. p. pulcher Matschie, 1915 — E Australia, from SE Queensland to C New South Wales. Introduced (subspecies unknown) on Kangaroo I.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 29-35 cm, tail 29-36 cm; weight 0.8-1.1 kg. The Eastern Ring-tailed Possum is highly variable in color, ranging from a rich red-gray to dark gray-black, but there is always a distinct white tip on tail and white ear tufts.

Habitat. Variety of forest types but one study did not find them within snow gum ( Eucalyptus pauciflora and often E. rubida) or black box (E. largiflorens) forests with dense understory vegetation. Highest numbers of Eastern Ring-tailed Possums are at lower elevations in mixed eucalypt (E. albens, E. melliodora, E. microcarpa, E. polyanthemos) and red stringybark (E. macrorhyncha) forests. They are frequently observed in eucalypt forests containing FE. dives, E. macrorhyncha, E. mannifera, and E. radiata, where they are typically seen in the upper canopy or mid-stratum. Eastern Ring-tailed Possums are also seen in shrubs and tree hollows, and occasionally on the ground.

Food and Feeding. The Eastern Ring-tailed Possum is folivorous but includes more non-eucalypt species, flowers, and fruits in its diet than other species of ring-tailed possums. Similar to the Southern Greater Glider (Petawroides volans ), and probably its related species, the Eastern Ring-tailed Possum is highly selective, feeding on foliage of different species of Eucalyptus trees of the subgenus Monocalyptus for three-quarters of its diet, with species in the subgenus Symphyomyrtus and genus Corymbia being less important. When eating eucalypt foliage, Eastern Ring-tailed Possums consume almost exclusively young leaves when they are abundant. In addition to Eucalyptus , they feed on leaves of Leptospermum , also belonging to the myrtle family. In suburban gardens, they feed on flowers and fruits of a variety of introduced plants, including rosebushes and oranges.

Breeding. Fach year, 90-100% of female Eastern Ring-tailed Possums breed. They have an estrous cycle of 28 days. Young are born in April-December, with a major peak in late May-July and a minor peak in mid-October-November when some females produce a second young. Estimates of gestation are variable: 14-16 days in one study and 20-26 days in other studies. Although Eastern Ring-tailed Possums have four teats, two young are typically born, but up to three (and rarely four) can be produced, giving them a reproductive rate of 1-8-2-4 young/year. Young emerge from the pouch after c.120 days and remain in close proximity to lactating mothers for the next 2-3 months; they are weaned at ¢.180 days of age, typically in late spring or summer. Duration of lactation of females that breed twice a year appears to be significantly shorter than that of females that breed only once a year. Age of dispersal is ¢.8-12 months of age. Sexual maturity occurs at 12-13 months for males and 12-14 months for females. Captive studies suggest that Eastern Ring-tailed Possums typically live 5-8 years.

Activity patterns. Eastern Ring-tailed Possums are nocturnal and emerge from their nests in early evening and undertake most activity before midnight. A study of their nest use found that individuals and male-female pairs formed the most frequent nest groups throughout the year. Where nests included three or more individuals, these comprised an adult male-female pair with juveniles from a previous litter. Male Eastern Ring-tailed Possums moved from one nest to another significantly more often than females, and females suckling young that had emerged from the pouch and spent most of their time on their mothers’ backs made significantly fewer changes in nestsite than did non-lactating females.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Densities of Eastern Ring-tailed Possums are highly variable, ranging from 4 ind/ha to 34 ind/ha. Highest densities were observed in a eucalypt plantation with a thick, shrubby understory. In thickest understories, Eastern Ring-tailed Possums are active only 2-5 m above the ground, but in more open areas, they forage in the mid-strata (understory) and shrub layer. Home range areas are relatively small, estimated at 1 ha for males and 0-64 ha for females. Home range size may be larger in burned than in unburned sites, although the difference does not appear to be significant. Home ranges of males may overlap with those of two females but not with other males, and it appears that the Eastern Ring-tailed Possum may be socially monogamous. Males have been observed assisting females in caring for their putative young by sometimes carrying them on their back while foraging. Males have also been seen grooming young, staying with them in the nest while the mother forages alone, nesting with them during the day, and vocalizing when potential predators were nearby. They can be relatively vocal, producing a soft but high-pitched twittering call. The Eastern Ring-tailed Possum constructs dreys (nests) in tree and shrub canopies, and it also uses tree hollows. Use of tree hollows or dreys appears to reflect availability of these resources, with individuals tending to be either primarily hollow users or primarily drey users. Dreys are usually lined with leaves and shredded bark. An individual may have up to five dreys within its home range, and individuals often build dreys near each other, forming clusters of up to eight dreys. Use of tree hollows varies among locations. In Sydney, 28% of shelter sites were in tree hollows; another study on the southern coast of New South Wales found that 52% were in tree hollows. It appears that Eastern Ring-tailed Possums can also live in areas that lack tree hollows, building dreysif the habitat is adequate. Tree hollows and dreys may be shared with young and/or mates, and two or three females with their young have been recorded in a single nest. Unweaned young are often left in a drey while the motherrests elsewhere. Main predators of the Eastern Ring-tailed Possum include powerful owls (Ninox strenua), lace monitors (Varanus varius), carpet pythons ( Morelia spilota), and introduced feral cats and Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Survival appears to be relatively high until 6-12 months of age but decreases to 37-52% during adultlife. Longevity may reach 5-8 years of age.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red Lust.

Bibliography. Augee et al. (1996), Bennett et al. (1991), Goldingay (2011), How et al. (1984), Lindenmayer et al. (2008), McKay & Ong (2008), Moore et al. (2004), Munks (1995, 1999), Munks & Green (1995), Ong (1994), Pahl (1984, 1987a, 1987b), Russell et al. (2003), Smith et al. (2003), Thomson & Owen (1964), Winter, Menkhorst et al. (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)

Subspecies and Distribution. P.p.peregrinusBoddaert,1785—NE&EAustralia,fromCapeYorkPeninsulatoSEQueensland. P.p.convolutorSchinz,1821—Tasmania,includingKingI,FurneauxGroupIs(Flinders,CapeBarren),andMariaIs. P.p.cookiiDesmarest,1818—SEAustralia,fromCNewSouthWalestoextremeSEofSouthAustralia. P. p. pulcher Matschie, 1915 — E Australia, from SE Queensland to C New South Wales. Introduced (subspecies unknown) on Kangaroo I.