Phalanger orientalis (Pallas 1766)

Wilson, Don E. & Reeder, DeeAnn, 2005, Order Diprotodontia, Mammal Species of the World: a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3 rd Edition), Volume 1, Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, pp. 43-70 : 47

Phalanger orientalis (Pallas 1766)

[Didelphis] orientalis Pallas 1766 , Misc. Zool.: 61.

Type Locality: Indonesia, Amboina (= Ambon) Isl, Maluku.

Vernacular Names: Northern Common Cuscus.

Subspecies: :

Subspecies Phalanger orientalis subsp. orientalis Pallas 1766

Subspecies Phalanger orientalis subsp. breviceps Thomas 1888

Distribution: Timor, Sanana (Sulu Isls), Buru, Halmahera and Seram Isls ( Indonesia) to northern New Guinea, Karkar Isl, Schouten group, Bismarck Arch., Solomon Isls; Sanana (Sula Isls), Buru, and Halmahera.

Conservation: IUCN – Lower Risk (lc); CITES – Appendix II.

Discussion: Formerly included intercastellanus , interpositus (= vestitus ) and lullulae (see G. G. George, 1979). Flannery et al. (1987) first suggested that the southern races may prove to be specifically distinct; Flannery (1990) did not adopt this course, but Flannery (1994 a) separated them. Two undescribed species, related to P. orientalis , occur on Mt. Karimui. The species needs revision; Flannery (1995 b) provisionally recognized only Solomons/Bismarcks breviceps as a subspecies.