Pseudochirulus caroli (Thomas, 1921)

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 : 523

6.

Weyland Ring-tailed Possum

Pseudochirulus caroli

French: Possum des Weyland / German: Buntschwanz-Ringbeutler / Spanish: Falangero de cola anillada de las Weyland

Other common names: Weyland Ringtail

Taxonomy. Pseudochirus caroli Thomas, 1921 ,

“ Mt. Kunupi, Menoo Valley. Alt. 6000.”

This species is known from very few specimens and only four localities west of the Star (= Jayawijaya) Mountains. A population previously allocated to this species from near the Baliem Valley (Bokondini) may well be a distinct species. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

P.c.caroliThomas,1921—WeylandRange,Papua,Indonesia.

P. c. versteegi Thomas, 1922 — Lorentz (= Noord) River Basin, Papua, Indonesia.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 30-36 cm, tail 30-37 cm; weight of a female 440 g. The Weyland Ring-tailed Possum is distinguished from other New Guinean pseudocheirids by its long white tail. Dark brownish-gray dorsal stripe distinguishes it from Australian species.

Habitat. Patchy distribution in the western Central Range from near to sea level to c.2200 m in elevation.

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

Breeding. There is no information available for this species.

Activity patterns. Limited observations of Weyland Ring-tailed Possums suggest they are very agile and active, even during the day.

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. The impact of hunting on the Weyland Ring-tailed Possum needs to be studied because it could rapidly become threatened if either human encroachment or hunting were to increase significantly.

Bibliography. Flannery (1994a, 1995a), Helgen (2007a), Helgen, Leary et al. (2008a).

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)

Subspecies and Distribution. P.c.caroliThomas,1921—WeylandRange,Papua,Indonesia. P. c. versteegi Thomas, 1922 — Lorentz (= Noord) River Basin, Papua, Indonesia.