Bushy-tailed opossum

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Bushy-tailed opossum

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Marsupialia
Order: Didelphimorphia
Family: Didelphidae
Subfamily: Glironiinae
Voss & Jansa, 2009[3]
Genus: Glironia
Thomas, 1912[2]
Species:
G. venusta
Binomial name
Glironia venusta
Thomas, 1912[2]
Range of the bushy-tailed opossum
Synonyms[5]

G. aequetorialis H. E. Anthony, 1926[4]
G. criniger H. E. Anthony, 1926[4]

The bushy-tailed opossum (Glironia venusta) is an

least concern
.

Taxonomy and etymology

The bushy-tailed opossum is the sole member of Glironia, and is placed in the family

Dromiciops (monito del monte) and Glironia under a single subfamily, Microbiotheriinae, noting the dental similarities among these. A 1977 study argued that these similarities are the result of convergent evolution, and placed Caluromys, Caluromysiops and Glironia in a new subfamily, Caluromyinae.[6] In another similar revision, the bushy-tailed opossum was placed in its own subfamily, Glironiinae.[3]

The

phylogenetic relationships of the bushy-tailed opossum.[7]

Bushy-tailed opossum (Glironia venusta)

Caluromyinae

Black-shouldered opossum (Caluromyopsis irrupta)

Derby's woolly opossum (Caluromys derbianus)

Bare-tailed woolly opossum (Caluromys philander)

Brown-eared woolly opossum (Caluromys lanatus)

The

Latin glir ("dormouse") and Greek suffix -ia (pertains to "quality" or "condition"). The specific name, venusta, means "charming" in Latin.[6]

Description

The bushy-tailed opossum is a medium-sized opossum characterized by a large, oval, dark ears, fawn to cinnamon coat with a buff to gray underside, grayish limbs, and, as its name suggests, a furry tail. The face is marked by two bold, dark stripes extending from either side of the nose through the eyes to the back of the ears. These stripes are separated by a thinner grayish white band, that runs from the midline of the nose to the nape of the neck. The texture of hairs ranges from soft to woolly; the hairs on the back measure 7 to 8 millimetres (0.28 to 0.31 in).[6][8] Five nipples can be seen on the abdomen; it lacks a marsupium.[5] The tail, 19.5 to 22.5 centimetres (7.7 to 8.9 in) long, becomes darker and less bushy towards the tip. Basically the same in color as the coat, the tip may be completely white or have diffuse white hairs.[6]

The head-and-body length is typically between 16 and 20.5 centimetres (6.3 and 8.1 in), the hindfeet measure 2.7 to 3.1 centimetres (1.1 to 1.2 in) and the ears are 2.2 to 2.5 centimetres (0.87 to 0.98 in) long.

dental formula is 5.1.3.44.1.3.4 – typical of all didelphids. Canines and molars are poorly developed. Differences from Marmosa species (mouse opossums) include smaller ears, longer and narrower rostrum, and greater erectness in canines. The monito del monte has a similar bushy tail.[6][10] A study of the male reproductive system noted that the bushy-tailed opossum has two pairs of bulbourethral glands, as in Caluromys and Gracilinanus, but unlike other didelphids that have three pairs. The urethral grooves of the glans penis end near the tips.[11]

Ecology and behavior

Little is known of the behavior of the bushy-tailed opossum. Less than 25 specimens are known.

arboreal (tree-living).[12] It appears to be solitary and nocturnal (active mainly at night).[1] An individual was observed running through and leaping over vines, in a manner typical of opossums, probably hunting for insects. Its diet may be similar to that of the mouse opossums – insects, eggs and plant material.[10]

Distribution and status

The bushy-tailed opossum has been captured from heavy, humid,

least concern, given its wide distribution and presumably large population. The major threats to its survival are deforestation and human settlement.[1]

References

  1. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T9245A22179598.en
    . Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. ^
    doi:10.1080/00222931208693127
    .
  3. ^
    S2CID 85017821
    .
  4. ^
    hdl:2246/4158
    .
  5. ^
    ISBN 978-0-226-28242-8
    .
  6. ^
    JSTOR 3504067. Archived from the original
    (PDF) on 2015-04-04. Retrieved 2016-05-31.
  7. S2CID 17393886
    .
  8. ISBN 978-0-226-19542-1
    .
  9. ^
    S2CID 86445704
    .
  10. ^
    ISBN 978-0-8018-8211-1
    .
  11. S2CID 85024399
    .
  12. hdl:11336/75169
    .
  13. ^ Bernarde, P.S.; Rocha, V.J. (2003). "New record of Glironia venusta (Bushy-tailed opossum)(Mammalia, Glironiidae) for the State of Rondônia–Brazil". Biociencias. 11 (2): 183–4.
  14. hdl:10261/39758
    .
  15. ISBN 978-0-9828419-7-6
    .
  16. ^ "Científicos colombianos registran especie de zarigüeya poco conocida para la ciencia, en Guainía". Fundación Omacha (in Spanish). January 14, 2022.

Further reading

External links

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