Pseudochirulus mayer (Rothschild & Dollman, 1932)

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

11.

Pygmy Ring-tailed Possum

Pseudochirulus mayer

French: Possum pygmée / German: Zwerg-Ringbeutler / Spanish: Falangero de cola anillada pequeno

Other common names: Pygmy Ringtalil

Taxonomy. Pseudochirus mayer: Rothschild & Dollman, 1932 ,

The Gebroeders [Mountains] , Weyland Range , Dutch New Guinea [= Papua Province, Indonesia].

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. New Guinea, in the Central Range from Paniai (= Wissel) Lakes in Papua Province, Indonesia, E to Mt Hagen area in Papua New Guinea.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 17-21 cm, tail 15-19 cm; weight 105-206 g. The Pygmy Ring-tailed Possum is distinguished from the other species of pseudocheirids by its small size and drab brown color; it has no distinctive markings.

Habitat. Moss forests and seems to be most abundant at elevations above 1500 m and probably most common at 2500-3600 m.

Food and Feeding. The diet of the Pygmy Ring-tailed Possum has been reported to be diverse and include epiphytic lichens, mosses, ferns, fungus, and pollen. A captive individual ate only small quantities of leaves given to it. Given its small body size, it is assumed that the Pygmy Ring-tailed Possum is not folivorous like most other species of pseudocheirids.

Breeding. An almost independent young Pygmy Ring-tailed Possum was recorded in January, a hairless pouch young was recorded in July, and other young were recorded in October and November.

Activity patterns. Pygmy Ring-tailed Possums are nocturnal and build dreys (nests), often in low foliage as low as 1 m off the ground. Dreys are made of moss and lichens and are usually constructed in a fork of a branch and have the opening near the top.

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

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. There are no major known threats to the Pygmy Ring-tailed Possum. Local people will hunt the Pygmy Ring-tailed Possum for food.

Bibliography. Flannery (1994a, 1995a), Helgen, Dickman & Salas (2008b), Hume et al. (1993), Rothschild & Dollman (1933a).

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, in the Central Range from Paniai (= Wissel) Lakes in Papua Province, Indonesia, E to Mt Hagen area in Papua New Guinea.