Gray short-tailed opossum

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Gray short-tailed opossum[1]

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Marsupialia
Order: Didelphimorphia
Family: Didelphidae
Genus: Monodelphis
Species:
M. domestica
Binomial name
Monodelphis domestica
(Wagner, 1842)
Gray short-tailed opossum range
Synonyms

Monodelphis domesticus

The gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica) is a small South American member of the

Didelphidae. Unlike most other marsupials, the gray short-tailed opossum does not have a true pouch. The scientific name Monodelphis is derived from Greek and means "single womb" (referring to the lack of a pouch) and the Latin word domestica which means "domestic" (chosen because of the species' habit of entering human dwellings).[3] It was the first marsupial to have its genome sequenced. The gray short-tailed opossum is used as a research model in science,[4] and is also frequently found in the exotic pet
trade. It is also known as the Brazilian opossum, rainforest opossum and in a research setting the laboratory opossum.

Description

Gray short-tailed opossums are relatively small animals, with a superficial resemblance to voles. In the wild they have head-body length of 12 to 18 cm (4.7 to 7.1 in) and weigh 58 to 95 grams (2.0 to 3.4 oz); males are larger than females.[5] However, individuals kept in captivity are typically much larger, with males weighing up to 150 grams (5.3 oz).[6] As the common name implies, the tail is proportionately shorter than in some other opossum species, ranging from 5 to 9 centimetres (2.0 to 3.5 in).[5] Their tails are only semi-prehensile, unlike the fully prehensile tail characteristic of the North American opossum.[3]

The fur is greyish brown over almost the entire body, although fading to a paler shade on the underparts, and with near-white fur on the feet. Only the base of the tail has fur, the remainder being almost entirely hairless.

dermal ridges.[7] Unlike many other marsupials, females do not have a pouch. They typically possess thirteen teats,[8] which can be retracted into the body by muscles at their base.[5]

Distribution and habitat

The gray short-tailed opossum is found generally south of the Amazon River, in southern, central, and western Brazil. It is also found in eastern Bolivia, northern Paraguay, and in Formosa Province in northern Argentina.[2] It inhabits rainforest environments, scrubland, and agricultural land, and often enters man-made structures, such as houses.[5] There are no recognised subspecies.

Behaviour

Gray short-tailed opossums eat

invertebrates, as well as some fruit. They hunt primarily by scent, poking their snout into vegetation in search of prey or dead animals to scavenge. Once they find living prey, they pounce onto it, holding it down with their forefeet while delivering a killing strike, often to the base of the neck, with their sharp teeth. They can successfully take prey up to their own size.[5]

They are

scent marks. The approach of another member of the species is commonly met with hissing and screeching, which may escalate to defensive strikes launched while the animal is standing on its hind legs.[5]

Reproduction

The opossums breed year round when the climate is suitable, being able to raise up to six litters of six to eleven young each during a good year. Females only come into

induced only by physical contact with the male.[9] Gestation lasts fourteen days, after which the young attach to a teat, where they remain for the next two weeks. Like all marsupials, the young are born undeveloped; in this species they are just 1 centimetre (0.39 in) in length and weigh 0.1 grams (0.0035 oz) at birth.[10] The young grow hair at around three weeks, open their eyes about a week later,[5] and are weaned at eight weeks[11]

Gray short-tailed opossums are sexually mature at five to six months of age, and live for up to forty-nine months in captivity.[5]

Laboratory opossum

Monodelphis domestica

The gray short-tailed opossum possesses several features that make it an ideal

transplant and cancer research, as well as general investigations into immune system development and its similarities to other eutherian mammals.[12][13]
Its genome was sequenced and a working draft published in May 2007:[14] the decoding work, directed by
Ensembl Genome Browser.[15]

References

  1. OCLC 62265494
    .
  2. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T40514A197307682.en
    .
  3. ^ a b Smith, P. "Grey Short-Tailed Opossum" (PDF). Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  4. SFBR. Archived from the original
    on 2007-08-13. Retrieved 2007-04-13.
  5. ^
    doi:10.1644/760
    .
  6. PMID 4039362
    .
  7. PMID 11465861
    .
  8. PMID 1947228
    .
  9. PMID 8371092
    .
  10. ^ Encyclopedia of Life
  11. doi:10.1071/ZO9890235
    .
  12. PMID 14559788
    .
  13. PMID 34038789
    .
  14. PMID 17495919
    .
  15. ^ "Monodelphis_domestica - Ensembl genome browser 104".

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gray_short-tailed_opossum&oldid=1217571344"