Strigocuscus celebensis (Gray, 1858)

Russell A. Mittermeier & Don E. Wilson, 2015, Phalangeridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 5 Monotremes and Marsupials, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 456-497 : 486

9.

Small Sulawesi Cuscus

Strigocuscus celebensis

French: Phalanger des Célebes / German: Sulawesi-Kuskus / Spanish: Cuscis menor de las Célebes

Other common names: Little Celebes Cuscus, Sulawesi Dwarf Cuscus

Taxonomy. Cuscus celebensis Gray, 1858 ,

“ Celebes ... island of Macassar ” (= Makassar/Ujung Pandang , south-western Sulawesi, Indonesia).

Two subspecies of S. celebensis are often recognized, but a more detailed assessment of geographical and elevational variation in Strigocuscus across Sulawesi is needed. As currently recognized, S. celebensis prob-¿DW represents more than one species. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

S.c.celebensisGray,1858—C,SE&SWSulawesi,includingMunaI.

S. c. feileri Groves, 1987 — N Sulawesi.

Descriptive notes. Head—body length 30-38 cm,tail 31-37 cm; weight c.0-5—1 kg. The Small Sulawesi Cuscus is the smallest species of phalangerids. Fur is soft and woolly. Overall color is uniform gray-brown dorsally, whitish ventrally, without a dorsal stripe. Tail is naked for most (at least one-half) of its length. Ears are relatively large and naked internally. Skull is small with stout zygomata and a relatively short rostrum. Upper canine is separated from incisors by a distinct diastema. Most published photographs said to depict the Small Sulawesi Cuscus show Sulawesi populations of the Moluccan Cuscus ( Phalanger ornatus ), which is a larger and much more colorful species (in Sulawesi, usually yellowish or orangish in dorsal color, with a dorsalstripe and variable white spotting on body).

Habitat. Primary and secondary forests from sea level to elevations of at least 2000 m.

Food and Feeding. Limited information suggests that the Small Sulawesi Cuscus is largely frugivorous. It has also been reported to eat bird eggs.

Breeding. There is no information available for this species.

Activity patterns. The Small Sulawesi Cuscus is nocturnal and primarily arboreal. The Sulawesi Palm Civet (Macrogalidia musschenbroekii) is known to prey on the Small Sulawesi Cuscus.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no specific information available for this species, but Small Sulawesi Cuscuses are apparently often found in pairs.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List. An ongoing population decline of the Small Sulawesi Cuscus of more than 30% over a ten-year time frame is inferred from probable levels of hunting and rates of deforestation on Sulawesi.

Bibliography. Flannery (1995b), Groves (1987), Helgen, Aplin, Dickman & Salas (2008), Pangau-Adam et al. (2006), Whitten et al. (1987).

Figures

1. Common Brush-tailed Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), 2. Coppery Brush-tailed Possum (Trichosurus johnstonii), 3. Short-eared Brush-tailed Possum (Trichosurus caninus), 4. Mountain Brush-tailed Possum (Trichosurus cunningham), 5. Scaly-tailed Possum (Wyulda squamicaudata), 6. Common Bear Cuscus (Aulurops ursinus), 7. Talaud Bear Cuscus (Aulurops melanotis), 8. Mountain Bear Cuscus (Aulurops furvus), 9. Small Sulawesi Cuscus (Strigocuscus celebensis), 10. Small Sangihe Cuscus (Strigocuscus sangirensis)

Subspecies and Distribution. S.c.celebensisGray,1858—C,SE&SWSulawesi,includingMunaI. S. c. feileri Groves, 1987 — N Sulawesi.