Pseudochirulus larvatus (Forster & Rothschild, 1911)

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 : 524-525

10.

Masked Ring-tailed Possum

Pseudochirulus larvatus

French: Possum masqué / German: Masken-Ringbeutler / Spanish: Falangero de cola anillada enmascarado

Other common names: Masked Ringtail

Taxonomy. Phalanger larvatus Forster & Rothschild, 1911 ,

“Rawlinson Mtns, [Huon Peninsula], German New Guinea [= Papua New Guinea].”

This species had been considered a subspecies of P. forbesi but was recently recognized as a distinct species. Monotypic.

Distribution. New Guinea, in the Central Range from Star (= Jayawijaya) Mts in Papua Province, Indonesia, E to between Kratke Range and Wau in Papua New Guinea; also separate populations in the Foja Mts in Papua Province, and N Coastal Ranges and the Huon Peninsula in Papua New Guinea.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 33-35 cm, tail 23-25 cm. No specific data are available for body weight. Fur of the Masked Ring-tailed Possum is velvety and smoky gray, with poorly defined brown median dorsal stripe expanding to smoky black band on head, extending to nose. Throat is black, with black lines extending to ears. Face is tawny ocher, and snout is smoky black. Underside is dirty gray, somewhat paler in center, and chest and lower throat are yellowish white. Tail is hairy to tip dorsally, black, with a few scattered silky gray hairs at base. Underside of tail is naked for terminal 12 cm.

Habitat. Primary and secondary forest at elevations above 500 m, but typically above 1300 m. The Masked Ring-tailed Possum is widespread and locally abundant across the Central Range.

Food and Feeding. Although leaves are the mainstay of the diet of the Masked Ringtailed Possum, it has been documented eating bark of Syzygium (Myrtaceae) and Sloanea (Elaeocarpaceae) .

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 Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. There are no major known threats to the Masked Ring-tailed Possum, but local people huntit for food.

Bibliography. McKnight (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, in the Central Range from Star (= Jayawijaya) Mts in Papua Province, Indonesia, E to between Kratke Range and Wau in Papua New Guinea; also separate populations in the Foja Mts in Papua Province, and N Coastal Ranges and the Huon Peninsula in Papua New Guinea.