Didelphis albiventris Lund

Rocha, Rita G., Ferreira, Eduardo, Costa, Barbara M. A., Martins, Iracy C. M., Leite, Yuri L. R., Costa, Leonora P. & Fonseca, Carlos, 2011, Small mammals of the mid-Araguaia River in central Brazil, with the description of a new species of climbing rat, Zootaxa 2789, pp. 1-34 : 11

Didelphis albiventris Lund

Identification. White-eared opossums have white heads with three black stripes, the middle one extending from the top of the head to the level of eyes, and the lateral ones extending from ears to eyes. Ears are completely white or have a black base and white tips, the latter especially in young individuals. Dorsal pelage is black with yellowish white-based fur and usually with long white overhairs; ventral pelage is yellowish white. The tail is furred in the basal third of its length and has a characteristic white tip.

Measurements (n = 10): HB = 265–363, T = 256–331, HF = 43–48, E = 48–63, W = 430–860.

Distribution. This species is present from northeast and central Brazil to southern regions into Uruguay and central Argentina; it is also present in eastern Bolivia. Didelphis albiventris occupy Caatinga and Cerrado habitats and transition regions ( Gardner 2007).

Natural history. Fourteen individuals (10 adults and four juveniles) were captured mainly on the ground in dry areas with Cerrado sensu strictu but also in alluvial forests. Three females carrying suckling young were captured in September 2007 and 2008. Litter size varied from five to seven young. Three other adult females were captured during the year with no signs of reproductive activity, which might indicates that D. albiventris has only one breeding period during the end of dry season in the surveyed region.

Vouchers (n = 2: 1ɗ 1Ψ): UFES 1262–1263.