Pseudochirulus schlegeli (Jentink, 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 : 525

12.

Arfak Ring-tailed Possum

Pseudochirulus schlegeli

French: Possum des Arfak / German: Schlegels Ringbeutler / Spanish: Falangero de cola anillada de las Arfak

Other common names: Arfak Ringtail, Vogelkop Ringtail

Taxonomy. Pseudochirus schlegeli Jentink, 1884 ,

“ New Guinea, Arfak Mountains .”

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. New Guinea, restricted to Arfak Mts in the Bird's Head (= Vogelkop) Peninsula in West Papua Province, Indonesia.

Descriptive notes. Head-body c.21-23 cm, tail c.21-25 cm; weight 244-305 g. Arfak Ring-tailed Possums have a relatively uniform orange-brown pelage and lack dorsal stripes and facial markings. Patch of pale fur, followed by darker fur, occurs behind ears.

Habitat. Low primary montane mossy forest at elevations of 750-1900 m.

Food and Feeding. There is no information available for this species.

Breeding. There is no information available for this species.

Activity patterns. There is no information available for this species.

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

Status and Conservation. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List. Local people hunt the Arfak Ring-tailed Possum for food, and suitable forest habitat has been lost through conversion to cultivated land.

Bibliography. Flannery (1995a), Helgen, Dickman & Salas (2008c).

Figures

1. Lemuroid Ring-tailed Possum (Hemabelideus lemuroides), 2. Central Greater Glider (Petauroides armillatus), 3. Northern Greater Glider (Petauroides minor), 4. Southern Greater Glider (Petawroides volans), 5. Lowland Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudochirulus canescens), 6. Weyland Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudochirulus carols), 7. Daintree River Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudochirulus cinereus), 8. Painted Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudochirulus forbesi), 9. Herbert River Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudochirulus herbertensis), 10. Masked Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudochirulus larvatus), 11. Pygmy Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudochirulus mayer), 12. Arfak Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudochirulus schlegeli)

Distribution. New Guinea, restricted to Arfak Mts in the Bird's Head (= Vogelkop) Peninsula in West Papua Province, Indonesia.