List of didelphimorphs

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Gray opossum with white face
Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana)

Didelphimorphia is an order of marsupial mammals. Members of this order are called didelphimorphs, or opossums. They are primarily found in South America, though some are found in Central America and Mexico and one, the Virginia opossum, ranges into the United States and Canada. They have a variety of sizes, shapes, and fur patterns, and range in size from the 6 cm (2 in) (plus 9 cm (4 in) tail) Kalinowski's mouse opossum to the 55 cm (22 in) (plus 54 cm (21 in) tail) Virginia opossum. Didelphimorphs are primarily found in forests, as well as savannas, shrublands, and grasslands. Almost no population estimates have been made for didelphimorph species, though the one-striped opossum is classified as Critically Endangered with a population of less than ten, Handley's slender opossum is also critically endangered, and the red-bellied gracile opossum
is extinct, having last been seen in 1962.

The 93

Hyladelphinae, also with a single species; and Didelphinae, containing 87 species split between 14 genera. Over one hundred extinct Didelphimorph species have been discovered, though due to ongoing research and discoveries the exact number and categorization is not fixed.[1]

Conventions

 CR 
Critically Endangered (2 species)
 EN Endangered (0 species)
 VU Vulnerable (6 species)
 NT Near threatened (3 species)
 LC Least concern (67 species)
Other categories
 DD Data deficient (14 species)
 NE Not evaluated (0 species)

Conservation status codes listed follow the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Range maps are provided wherever possible; if a range map is not available, a description of the didelphimorph's range is provided. Ranges are based on the IUCN Red List for that species unless otherwise noted. All extinct species or subspecies listed alongside extant species went extinct after 1500 CE, and are indicated by a dagger symbol "†".

Classification

The

Hyladelphinae, and Didelphinae. Caluromyinae contains 4 species in 2 genera, Glironiinae and Hyladelphinae each contain a single species, and Didelphinae contains 87 species in 14 genera, as well as the extinct red-bellied gracile opossum, which was last seen in 1962. Many of these species are further subdivided into subspecies. This does not include hybrid species or extinct prehistoric species.[2][3]

Family

Didelphidae

  • Subfamily Caluromyinae
    • Genus
      Caluromys
      (woolly opossums): three species
    • Genus
      Caluromysiops
      (black-shouldered opossum): one species
  • Subfamily Didelphinae
    • Genus
      Chacodelphys
      (Chacoan pygmy opossum): one species
    • Genus
      Chironectes
      (water opossum): one species
    • Genus Cryptonanus (savanna gracile opossums): five species (one extinct)
    • Genus Didelphis (large American opossums): six species
    • Genus Gracilinanus (gracile opossums): six species
    • Genus
      Lestodelphys
      (Patagonian opossum): one species
    • Genus Lutreolina (lutrine opossums): two species
    • Genus Marmosa (mouse opossums): seventeen species
    • Genus Marmosops (slender opossums): seventeen species
    • Genus
      Metachirus
      : (brown four-eyed opossums): two species
    • Genus
      Monodelphis
      (short-tailed opossums): seventeen species
    • Genus
      Philander
      (gray and black four-eyed opossums): five species
    • Genus Thylamys (fat-tailed mouse opossums): nine species
    • Genus
      Tlacuatzin
      (gray mouse opossums): one species
  • Subfamily
    Glironiinae
    • Genus
      Glironia
      (bushy-tailed opossum): one species
  • Subfamily
    Hyladelphinae
    • Genus
      Hyladelphys
      (Kalinowski's mouse opossum): one species
Didelphidae
  
Caluromyinae  

Caluromysiops

Caluromys

Glironiinae
  

Glironia

Hyladelphinae
  

Hyladelphys

Didelphinae  

Tlacuatzin

Marmosa

Monodelphis

Metachirus

Chironectes

Lutreolina

Philander

Didelphis

Didelphimorphs

The following classification is based on the taxonomy described by Mammal Species of the World (2005), with augmentation by generally accepted proposals made since using molecular phylogenetic analysis, as supported by both the IUCN and the American Society of Mammalogists.[4][5]

Subfamily Caluromyinae

Genus
CaluromysAllen
, 1900 – three species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Bare-tailed woolly opossum

Brown and gray opossum

C. philander
(Linnaeus, 1758)

Four subspecies
  • C. p. affinis
  • C. p. dichurus
  • C. p. philander
  • C. p. trinitatis
Eastern and northeastern South America
Map of range
Size: 16–28 cm (6–11 in) long, plus 25–41 cm (10–16 in) tail[6]

Habitat: Forest[7]

Diet: Fruit, as well as gum, nectar, small vertebrates, and invertebrates[7]
 LC 


Unknown Population declining[7]

Brown-eared woolly opossum

Brown and gray opossum

C. lanatus
(Olfers, 1818)

Four subspecies
  • C. l. cicur
  • C. l. lanatus
  • C. l. ochropus
  • C. l. ornatus
Central and northwestern South America
Map of range
Size: 20–32 cm (8–13 in) long, plus 33–44 cm (13–17 in) tail[8]

Habitat: Forest[9]

Diet: Fruit, invertebrates, and some small vertebrates, as well as nectar and flowers[9]
 LC 


Unknown Population declining[9]

Derby's woolly opossum

Brown and gray opossum

C. derbianus
(Waterhouse, 1841)

Six subspecies
  • C. d. aztecus
  • C. d. centralis
  • C. d. derbianus
  • C. d. fervidus
  • C. d. nauticus
  • C. d. pallidus
Central American and northwestern South America
Map of range
Size: 22–30 cm (9–12 in) long, plus 38–45 cm (15–18 in) tail[10]

Habitat: Forest[11]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, leaves, soft vegetables, insects, and other small invertebrates[11]
 LC 


Unknown Population declining[11]

Genus
CaluromysiopsSanborn
, 1951 – one species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Black-shouldered opossum


C. irrupta
Sanborn, 1951
West-central South America
Map of range
Size: 25–33 cm (10–13 in) long, plus 31–34 cm (12–13 in) tail[12]

Habitat: Forest[13]

Diet: Flowers and fruit, as well as small rodents[13]
 LC 


Unknown Population declining[13]

Subfamily Didelphinae

Genus
ChacodelphysVoss
et al., 2004 – one species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Chacoan pygmy opossum


C. formosa
(Shamel, 1930)
Northeastern Argentina
Map of range
Size: About 7 cm (3 in) long, plus 6 cm (2 in) tail[14]

Habitat: Shrubland[15]

Diet: Unknown[14]
 NT 


Unknown Population declining[15]

Genus
ChironectesIlliger
, 1811 – one species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Water opossum

Brown opossum

C. minimus
(Zimmermann, 1780)

Four subspecies
  • C. m. argyrodytes
  • C. m. langsdorffi
  • C. m. minimus
  • C. m. panamensis
Central America, northern South America, southeastern South America
Map of range
Size: 27–40 cm (11–16 in) long, plus 30–43 cm (12–17 in) tail[16]

Habitat: Forest and inland wetlands[17]

Diet: Fish, crabs, other crustaceans, and insects, as well as frogs[17]
 LC 


Unknown Population declining[17]

Genus CryptonanusVoss et al., 2005 – five species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Agricola's gracile opossum

Brown opossum

C. agricolai
(Moojen, 1943)
Eastern Brazil
Map of range
Size: 8–9 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 10–11 cm (4 in) tail[18]

Habitat: Forest and shrubland[19]

Diet: Unknown
 DD 


Unknown Unknown[19]

Chacoan gracile opossum


C. chacoensis
(Tate, 1931)
Southern South America
Map of range
Size: 8–10 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 9–13 cm (4–5 in) tail[18]

Habitat: Forest and grassland[20]

Diet: Unknown fruit and insects[21]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[20]

Guahiba gracile opossum


C. guahybae
(Tate, 1931)
Southern Brazil
Map of range
Size: About 9 cm (4 in) long, plus 11 cm (4 in) tail[18]

Habitat: Forest and grassland[22]

Diet: Unknown
 DD 


Unknown Unknown[22]

Red-bellied gracile opossum


C. ignitus
Díaz, Flores, Barquez, 2002
Northwestern Argentina Size: About 11 cm (4 in) long, plus 12 cm (5 in) tail[18]

Habitat: Forest[23]

Diet: Unknown
 EX 


Unknown Unknown[23]

Unduavi gracile opossum


C. unduaviensis
(Shamel, 1930)
Northern Bolivia
Map of range
Size: 9–13 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 11–14 cm (4–6 in) tail[18]

Habitat: Forest, grassland, and inland wetlands[24]

Diet: Unknown
 DD 


Unknown Unknown[24]

Genus DidelphisLinnaeus, 1758 – six species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Andean white-eared opossum

Gray and white opossum

D. pernigra
J. A. Allen, 1900
Northwestern South America
Map of range
Size: 30–50 cm (12–20 in) long, plus 25–54 cm (10–21 in) tail[25]

Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and grassland[26]

Diet: Small vertebrates, carrion, invertebrates, and plants[25]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[26]

Big-eared opossum

Brown and gray opossum

D. aurita
(Wied-Neuwied, 1826)
Eastern South America
Map of range
Size: 30–50 cm (12–20 in) long, plus 25–54 cm (10–21 in) tail[25]

Habitat: Forest and shrubland[27]

Diet: Arthropods and fruit, as well as other invertebrates and small vertebrates[28]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[27]

Common opossum

Brown and gray opossum

D. marsupialis
Linnaeus, 1758

Two subspecies
  • D. m. caucae
  • D. m. marsupialis
Central American and northern South America
Map of range
Size: 26–43 cm (10–17 in) long, plus 40 cm (16 in) tail[29]

Habitat: Forest and shrubland[30]

Diet: Omnivorous; eats invertebrates, vertebrates, leaves, fruit, nectar, and carrion[29]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[30]

Guianan white-eared opossum


D. imperfecta
Mondolfi, Hernández, 1984
Northern South America
Map of range
Size: 30–50 cm (12–20 in) long, plus 25–54 cm (10–21 in) tail[25]

Habitat: Forest[31]

Diet: Omnivorous; primarily fruit and insects[31]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[31]

Virginia opossum

Gray and white opossum

D. virginiana
Kerr, 1792

Four subspecies
  • D. v. californica
  • D. v. pigra
  • D. v. virginiana
  • D. v. yucatanensis
North America and Central America
Map of range
Size: 33–55 cm (13–22 in) long, plus 25–54 cm (10–21 in) tail[32]

Habitat: Forest and shrubland[33]

Diet: Omnivorous, including vertebrates, invertebrates, plant material, fruits, grains and carrion[32]
 LC 


Unknown Population increasing[33]

White-eared opossum

Gray and white opossum

D. albiventris
Lund, 1840
Eastern and southern South America
Map of range
Size: 30–50 cm (12–20 in) long, plus 25–54 cm (10–21 in) tail[25]

Habitat: Forest, savanna, and shrubland[34]

Diet: Small vertebrates, carrion, invertebrates, and plants[25]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[34]

Genus GracilinanusGardner, Creighton, 1989 – six species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Aceramarca gracile opossum


G. aceramarcae
(Tate, 1931)
Western Aouth America
Map of range
Size: About 11 cm (4 in) long, plus 14 cm (6 in) tail[35]

Habitat: Forest[36]

Diet: Fruit, insects and other small invertebrates[36]
 LC 


Unknown Unknown[36]

Agile gracile opossum

Brown opossum

G. agilis
(Burmeister, 1854)
Central South America
Map of range
Size: 8–12 cm (3–5 in) long, plus 10–16 cm (4–6 in) tail[37]

Habitat: Forest[38]

Diet: Insects and fruit[39]
 LC 


Unknown Unknown[38]

Brazilian gracile opossum

Brown opossum

G. microtarsus
(Wagner, 1842)

Two subspecies
  • G. m. guahybae
  • G. m. microtarsus
Southeastern South America
Map of range
Size: About 10 cm (4 in) long, plus 13 cm (5 in) tail[40]

Habitat: Forest[41]

Diet: Insects, other invertebrates, and fruit[40]
 LC 


Unknown Unknown[41]

Emilia's gracile opossum


G. emiliae
(Thomas, 1909)
Scattered northern South America
Map of range
Size: About 8 cm (3 in) long, plus 14 cm (6 in) tail[42]

Habitat: Forest[43]

Diet: Believed to be insects and fruit[42]
 DD 


Unknown Unknown[43]

Northern gracile opossum


G. marica
(Thomas, 1898)
Northern South America
Map of range
Size: About 10 cm (4 in) long, plus 13 cm (5 in) tail[44]

Habitat: Forest and grassland[45]

Diet: Believed to be insects and fruit[44]
 LC 


Unknown Population declining[45]

Wood sprite gracile opossum


G. dryas
(Thomas, 1898)
Northern South America
Map of range
Size: About 11 cm (4 in) long, plus 14 cm (6 in) tail[46]

Habitat: Forest[47]

Diet: Believed to be insects and fruit[46]
 LC 


Unknown Population declining[47]

Genus
LestodelphysTate
, 1934 – one species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Patagonian opossum


L. halli
(Thomas, 1921)
Southern South America
Map of range
Size: 13–15 cm (5–6 in) long, plus 8–10 cm (3–4 in) tail[48]

Habitat: Shrubland, grassland, and desert[49]

Diet: Invertebrates, as well as birds, reptiles, and fruit[48]
 LC 


Unknown Population declining[49]

Genus LutreolinaThomas, 1910 – two species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Big lutrine opossum

Brown opossum

L. crassicaudata
(Desmarest, 1804)

Two subspecies
  • L. c. crassicaudata
  • L. c. turneri
Scattered South America (Massoia's lutrine opossum in red)
Map of range
Size: 26–35 cm (10–14 in) long, plus 24–30 cm (9–12 in) tail[50]

Habitat: Forest, grassland, and inland wetlands[51]

Diet: Omnivorous; crabs, beetles, amphibians, birds, seeds, and vegetation, as well as other invertebrates, fish, and small mammals[50]
 LC 


Unknown Unknown[51]

Massoia's lutrine opossum


L. massoia
Martínez-Lanfranco, Flores, Jayat, D'Elía, 2014
South-central South America (big lutrine opossum in green)
Map of range
Size: 18–24 cm (7–9 in) long, plus 20–26 cm (8–10 in) tail[52]

Habitat: Forest and grassland[53]

Diet: Small mammals, fish, and invertebrates, as well as bird eggs and fruit[52]
 LC 


Unknown Unknown[53]

Genus MarmosaGray, 1821 – seventeen species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Alston's mouse opossum

Black and white photograph of opossum

M. alstoni
(Allen, 1900)
Central America, northwestern tip of South America
Map of range
Size: 18–20 cm (7–8 in) long, plus 24–28 cm (9–11 in) tail[54]

Habitat: Forest[55]

Diet: Insects, small vertebrates, and fruit[55]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[55]

Bare-tailed woolly mouse opossum


M. regina
Thomas, 1924
Western South America Size: 15–21 cm (6–8 in) long, plus 21–30 cm (8–12 in) tail[56]

Habitat: Forest[56]

Diet: Insects and fruit, as well as nectar, small vertebrates, and eggs[57]
 NE 


Unknown Unknown

Guajira mouse opossum


M. xerophila
Handley, Gordon, 1979
Northern South America
Map of range
Size: 8–16 cm (3–6 in) long, plus 10–20 cm (4–8 in) tail[58]

Habitat: Forest and shrubland[59]

Diet: Insects and fruit, as well as lizards, bird eggs, and small rodents[59]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[59]

Heavy-browed mouse opossum


M. andersoni
Pine, 1972
Peru
Map of range
Size: 8–22 cm (3–9 in) long, plus 12–27 cm (5–11 in) tail[57]

Habitat: Forest[60]

Diet: Insects, as well as fruit[61]
 DD 


Unknown Unknown[60]

Linnaeus's mouse opossum

Drawing of brown opossum

M. murina
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Northern and eastern South America
Map of range
Size: 11–15 cm (4–6 in) long, plus 13–21 cm (5–8 in) tail[62]

Habitat: Forest[63]

Diet: Insects, small animals, and fruit[63]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[63]

Little woolly mouse opossum


M. phaea
Thomas, 1899
Northwestern South America
Map of range
Size: 8–22 cm (3–9 in) long, plus 12–27 cm (5–11 in) tail[57]

Habitat: Forest[64]

Diet: Insects and fruit, as well as nectar, small vertebrates, and eggs[57]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[64]

Mexican mouse opossum

Brown and black opossum

M. mexicana
Merriam, 1897

Three subspecies
  • M. m. mayensis
  • M. m. mexicana
  • M. m. savannarum
Mexico and Central America
Map of range
Size: 9–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 13–23 cm (5–9 in) tail[58]

Habitat: Forest and grassland[65]

Diet: Insects and fruit, as well as small rodents, lizards, birds, and eggs[65]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[65]

Quechuan mouse opossum


M. quichua
Wagner, 1842
Western South America
Map of range
Size: 8–22 cm (3–9 in) long, plus 12–27 cm (5–11 in) tail[57]

Habitat: Forest[66]

Diet: Insects and fruit, as well as nectar, small vertebrates, and eggs[57]
 LC 


Unknown Population declining[66]

Red mouse opossum


M. rubra
Tate, 1931
Western South America
Map of range
Size: 12–20 cm (5–8 in) long, plus 18–22 cm (7–9 in) tail[58]

Habitat: Forest[67]

Diet: Insects and fruit[68]
 DD 


Unknown Unknown[67]

Robinson's mouse opossum

Brown opossum

M. robinsoni
Bangs, 1898

Six subspecies
  • M. r. chapmani
  • M. r. fulviventer
  • M. r. grenadae
  • M. r. luridavolta
  • M. r. robinsoni
  • M. r. ruatanica
Northern South America and Central America
Map of range
Size: 8–22 cm (3–9 in) long, plus 10–22 cm (4–9 in) tail[58]

Habitat: Forest and savanna[69]

Diet: Fruit and insects[69]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[69]

Rufous mouse opossum

Black and white drawing of two opossums

M. lepida
(Thomas, 1888)
Northwestern South America
Map of range
Size: 8–22 cm (3–9 in) long, plus 12–27 cm (5–11 in) tail[57]

Habitat: Forest[70]

Diet: Insects and fruit[70]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[70]

Tate's woolly mouse opossum

Brown opossum

M. paraguayana
Tate, 1931

Two subspecies
  • M. p. paraguayana
  • M. p. travassosi
Southeastern South America Size: 8–22 cm (3–9 in) long, plus 12–27 cm (5–11 in) tail[57]

Habitat: Forest[71]

Diet: Omnivorous and insectivorous[71]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[71]

Tyler's mouse opossum


M. tyleriana
Tate, 1931
Northern South America
Map of range
Size: 8–22 cm (3–9 in) long, plus 12–27 cm (5–11 in) tail[57]

Habitat: Forest[72]

Diet: Insects as well as fruit[73]
 DD 


Unknown Unknown[72]

White-bellied woolly mouse opossum


M. constantiae
Thomas, 1904
Central South America
Map of range
Size: 8–22 cm (3–9 in) long, plus 12–27 cm (5–11 in) tail[57]

Habitat: Forest[74]

Diet: Insects and fruit, as well as nectar, small vertebrates, and eggs[57]
 LC 


Unknown Unknown[74]

Woolly mouse opossum


M. demerarae
Thomas, 1905

Four subspecies
  • M. d. areniticola
  • M. d. demerarae
  • M. d. dominus
  • M. d. esmeraldae
Northeastern South America
Map of range
Size: 8–22 cm (3–9 in) long, plus 12–27 cm (5–11 in) tail[57]

Habitat: Forest[75]

Diet: Insects, small animals, fruit, and nectar[75]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[75]

Genus MarmosopsMatschie, 1916 – seventeen species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Andean Slender Mouse Opossum


M. caucae
(Thomas, 1900)
Northwestern South America Size: 9–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 10–22 cm (4–9 in) tail[76]

Habitat: Forest[77]

Diet: Insects and fruit[76]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[77]

Bishop's slender opossum


M. bishopi
(Pine, 1981)
Central South America
Map of range
Size: 9–12 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 11–16 cm (4–6 in) tail[78]

Habitat: Forest[79]

Diet: Insects and fruit[76]
 LC 


Unknown Unknown[79]

Brazilian slender opossum


M. paulensis
(Tate, 1931)
Southeastern Brazil
Map of range
Size: 9–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 10–22 cm (4–9 in) tail[76]

Habitat: Forest[80]

Diet: Insects and fruit[76]
 LC 


Unknown Unknown[80]

Creighton's slender opossum


M. creightoni
Voss, Tarifa, Yensen, 2004
Zongo River valley in Bolivia
Map of range
Size: 9–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 10–22 cm (4–9 in) tail[76]

Habitat: Forest[81]

Diet: Insects and fruit[76]
 DD 


Unknown Unknown[81]

Delicate slender opossum


M. parvidens
(Tate, 1931)
Northern South America
Map of range
Size: 9–11 cm (4 in) long, plus 14–16 cm (6–6 in) tail[78]

Habitat: Forest[82]

Diet: Insects and fruit[76]
 LC 


Unknown Unknown[82]

Dusky slender opossum


M. fuscatus
(Thomas, 1896)

Two subspecies
  • M. f. fuscatus
  • M. f. perfuscus
Northern South America
Map of range
Size: 13–14 cm (5–6 in) long, plus 14–15 cm (6–6 in) tail[78]

Habitat: Forest[83]

Diet: Insects and fruit[76]
 DD 


Unknown Population declining[83]

Gray slender opossum

Gray opossum

M. incanus
(Lund, 1841)
Eastern South America
Map of range
Size: 9–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 10–22 cm (4–9 in) tail[76]

Habitat: Forest[84]

Diet: Insects and fruit[76]
 LC 


Unknown Unknown[84]

Handley's slender opossum


M. handleyi
(Pine, 1981)
Central Columbia
Map of range
Size: 10–13 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 12–15 cm (5–6 in) tail[78]

Habitat: Forest[85]

Diet: Insects and fruit[76]
 CR 


Unknown Population declining[85]

Junin slender opossum


M. juninensis
(Tate, 1931)
Central Peru
Map of range
Size: 9–11 cm (4 in) long, plus 12–14 cm (5–6 in) tail[78]

Habitat: Forest[86]

Diet: Insects and fruit[76]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[86]

Narrow-headed slender opossum


M. cracens
Handley, Gordon, 1979
Northern South America
Map of range
Size: 9–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 10–22 cm (4–9 in) tail[76]

Habitat: Forest[87]

Diet: Insects and fruit[76]
 DD 


Unknown Unknown[87]

Neblina slender opossum


M. neblina
Gardner, 1990
Northwestern South America
Map of range
Size: 9–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 10–22 cm (4–9 in) tail[76]

Habitat: Forest[88]

Diet: Insects and fruit[76]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[88]

Panama slender opossum


M. invictus
(Goldman, 1921)
Panama
Map of range
Size: 10–12 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 12–15 cm (5–6 in) tail[78]

Habitat: Forest[89]

Diet: Insects and fruit[76]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[89]

Pantepui slender opossum


M. pakaraimae
Voss, Lim, Díaz-Nieto, Jansa, 2013
Northern South America Size: 10–12 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 15–17 cm (6–7 in) tail[78]

Habitat: Forest[90]

Diet: Insects and fruit[76]
 VU 


Unknown Unknown

Pinheiro's slender opossum


M. pinheiroi
(Pine, 1981)
Northern South America
Map of range
Size: 8–13 cm (3–5 in) long, plus 12–16 cm (5–6 in) tail[78]

Habitat: Forest[91]

Diet: Insects and fruit[76]
 LC 


Unknown Unknown[91]

Spectacled slender opossum


M. ocellatus
(Tate, 1931)
Bolivia Size: 9–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 10–22 cm (4–9 in) tail[76]

Habitat: Forest[92]

Diet: Insects and fruit[76]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[92]

Tschudi's slender opossum


M. impavidus
Tschudi, 1844
Northwestern South America
Map of range
Size: 9–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 10–22 cm (4–9 in) tail[76]

Habitat: Forest[93]

Diet: Insects and fruit[76]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[93]

White-bellied slender opossum

Gray opossum

M. noctivagus
(Tschudi, 1844)
Western South America
Map of range
Size: 9–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 10–22 cm (4–9 in) tail[76]

Habitat: Forest[94]

Diet: Insects and fruit[76]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[94]

Genus
MetachirusBurmeister
, 1854 – two species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Brown four-eyed opossum

Stuffed brown opossum

M. nudicaudatus
(Geoffroy, 1803)

Four subspecies
  • M. n. colombianus
  • M. n. modestus
  • M. n. nudicaudatus
  • M. n. tschudii
South America and Central America
Map of range
Size: 19–31 cm (7–12 in) long, plus 19–39 cm (7–15 in) tail[95]

Habitat: Forest and shrubland[96]

Diet: Insects and other invertebrates, as well as fruit, seeds, and small mammals[95]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[96]

Genus
MonodelphisBurnett
, 1830 – seventeen species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Amazonian red-sided opossum


M. glirina
(Wagner, 1842)
Central South America
Map of range
Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail[97]

Habitat: Forest[98]

Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit[97]
 LC 


Unknown Unknown[98]

Emilia's short-tailed opossum


M. emiliae
(Thomas, 1912)
Central South America
Map of range
Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail[97]

Habitat: Forest[99]

Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit[97]
 LC 


Unknown Unknown[99]

Gray short-tailed opossum

Gray opossum

M. domestica
(Wagner, 1842)
Central and eastern South America
Map of range
Size: 10–15 cm (4–6 in) long, plus tail[100]

Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and grassland[101]

Diet: Insects, fruits, and small animals[100]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[101]

Handley's short-tailed opossum


M. handleyi
Solari, 2007
Central South America Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail[97]

Habitat: Forest[102]

Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit[97]
 DD 


Unknown Unknown[102]

Hooded red-sided opossum


M. palliolata
(Osgood, 1914)
Northern South America
Map of range
Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail[97]

Habitat: Forest[103]

Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit[97]
 LC 


Unknown Population declining[103]

Ihering's three-striped opossum


M. iheringi
(Thomas, 1888)
Eastern South America
Map of range
Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail[97]

Habitat: Forest and unknown[104]

Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit[97]
 DD 


Unknown Population declining[104]

Long-nosed short-tailed opossum

Black and white drawing of two opossums

M. scalops
(Thomas, 1888)
Eastern South America
Map of range
Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail[97]

Habitat: Forest[105]

Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit[97]
 LC 


Unknown Population declining[105]

Northern red-sided opossum

Drawing of brown opossum

M. brevicaudata
(Erxleben, 1777)
Northern South America
Map of range
Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail[97]

Habitat: Forest[106]

Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit[97]
 LC 


Unknown Unknown[106]

Northern three-striped opossum

Brown opossum

M. americana
(Müller, 1776)
Eastern South America
Map of range
Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail[97]

Habitat: Forest and shrubland[107]

Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit[97]
 LC 


Unknown Population declining[107]

One-striped opossum


M. unistriata
(Wagner, 1842)
Southeastern South America
Map of range
Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail[97]

Habitat: Forest[108]

Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit[97]
 CR 


2–10 Unknown[108]

Osgood's short-tailed opossum


M. osgoodi
Doutt, 1938
Western South America
Map of range
Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail[97]

Habitat: Forest[109]

Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit[97]
 LC 


Unknown Unknown[109]

Peruvian short-tailed opossum


M. peruviana
(Osgood, 1913)
Peru Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail[97]

Habitat: Forest[110]

Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit[97]
 LC 


Unknown Unknown[110]

Pygmy short-tailed opossum


M. kunsi
Pine, 1975
Central South America
Map of range
Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail[97]

Habitat: Forest and savanna[111]

Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit[97]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[111]

Reig's opossum


M. reigi
Lew, Pérez-Hernández, 2004
Northern South America
Map of range
Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail[97]

Habitat: Forest[112]

Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit[97]
 VU 


Unknown Unknown[112]

Ronald's opossum


M. ronaldi
Solari, 2004
Western South America
Map of range
Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail[97]

Habitat: Forest[113]

Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit[97]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[113]

Sepia short-tailed opossum


M. adusta
(Thomas, 1897)
Northwestern South America
Map of range
Size: 9–13 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 4–7 cm (2–3 in) tail[114]

Habitat: Forest[115]

Diet: Invertebrates, fruits and small vertebrates[114]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[115]

Yellow-sided opossum

Drawing of gray and brown opossum

M. dimidiata
(Wagner, 1847)
Southern South America
Map of range
Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail[97]

Habitat: Forest, grassland, and inland wetlands[116]

Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit[97]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[116]

Genus
PhilanderBrisson
, 1762 – five species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Anderson's four-eyed opossum

Gray opossum

P. andersoni
(Osgood, 1913)
Northwestern South America
Map of range
Size: 25–35 cm (10–14 in) long, plus 25–35 cm (10–14 in) tail[117]

Habitat: Forest[118]

Diet: Insects, other small invertebrates, eggs, and fruit[117]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[118]

Deltaic four-eyed opossum


P. deltae
Lew, Pérez-Hernández, Ventura, 2006
Northern South America
Map of range
Size: 20–38 cm (8–15 in) long, plus 19–36 cm (7–14 in) tail[119]

Habitat: Forest and inland wetlands[120]

Diet: Small mammals, other small vertebrates, eggs, insects, other invertebrates, fruit, and carrion[119]
 LC 


Unknown Unknown[120]

Gray four-eyed opossum

Gray opossum

P. opossum
(Linnaeus, 1758)

Two subspecies
  • P. o. fuscogriseus
  • P. o. opossum
Northern and central South America and Central America
Map of range
Size: 20–34 cm (8–13 in) long, plus 19–36 cm (7–14 in) tail[121]

Habitat: Forest and shrubland[122]

Diet: Omnivorous, including invertebrates, small animals, leaves, bark, seeds, nuts, nectar, and fruit[121]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[122]

McIlhenny's four-eyed opossum


P. mcilhennyi
Gardner, Patton, 1972
Central South America
Map of range
Size: 28–31 cm (11–12 in) long, plus 26–38 cm (10–15 in) tail[123]

Habitat: Forest[124]

Diet: Believed to be omnivorous[123]
 LC 


Unknown Unknown[124]

Southeastern four-eyed opossum


P. frenatus
Olfers, 1818

Map of range
Size: 21–29 cm (8–11 in) long, plus 17–32 cm (7–13 in) tail[125]

Habitat: Forest[126]

Diet: Omnivorous, including flowers, fruit, invertebrates, and small vertebrates[126]
 LC 


Unknown Unknown[126]

Genus ThylamysGray, 1843 – nine species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Argentine fat-tailed mouse opossum


T. sponsorius
(Thomas, 1921)
Central South America
Map of range
Size: 6–15 cm (2–6 in) long, plus 6–17 cm (2–7 in) tail[127]

Habitat: Shrubland[128]

Diet: Insects, as well as fruit and small vertebrates[127]
 LC 


Unknown Unknown[128]

Buff-bellied fat-tailed mouse opossum


T. venustus
(Thomas, 1902)
Central South America
Map of range
Size: 6–15 cm (2–6 in) long, plus 6–17 cm (2–7 in) tail[127]

Habitat: Forest, savanna, and shrubland[129]

Diet: Insects, as well as fruit and small vertebrates[127]
 DD 


Unknown Unknown[129]

Common fat-tailed mouse opossum


T. pusillus
(Desmarest, 1804)
Central South America
Map of range
Size: 7–12 cm (3–5 in) long, plus 8–14 cm (3–6 in) tail[130]

Habitat: Forest and savanna[131]

Diet: Insects, as well as fruit and small vertebrates[127]
 LC 


Unknown Population declining[131]

Dwarf fat-tailed mouse opossum


T. velutinus
(Wagner, 1842)
Eastern South America
Map of range
Size: 6–15 cm (2–6 in) long, plus 6–17 cm (2–7 in) tail[127]

Habitat: Forest, savanna, shrubland, and grassland[132]

Diet: Insects, as well as fruit and small vertebrates[127]
 NT 


Unknown Population declining[132]

Elegant fat-tailed mouse opossum

Gray opossum

T. elegans
(Waterhouse, 1839)
Southwestern South America
Map of range
Size: 6–15 cm (2–6 in) long, plus 6–17 cm (2–7 in) tail[127]

Habitat: Forest and shrubland[133]

Diet: Insects, as well as fruit and small vertebrates[127]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[133]

Karimi's fat-tailed mouse opossum


T. karimii
(Petter, 1968)
Central South America
Map of range
Size: 6–15 cm (2–6 in) long, plus 6–17 cm (2–7 in) tail[127]

Habitat: Forest and savanna[134]

Diet: Insects, as well as fruit and small vertebrates[127]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[134]

Paraguayan fat-tailed mouse opossum


T. macrurus
(Olfers, 1818)
Central South America
Map of range
Size: 6–15 cm (2–6 in) long, plus 6–17 cm (2–7 in) tail[127]

Habitat: Forest, savanna, and shrubland[135]

Diet: Insects, as well as fruit and small vertebrates[127]
 NT 


Unknown Population declining[135]

Tate's fat-tailed mouse opossum


T. tatei
(Handley, 1957)
Western South America
Map of range
Size: 6–15 cm (2–6 in) long, plus 6–17 cm (2–7 in) tail[127]

Habitat: Shrubland and desert[136]

Diet: Insects, as well as fruit and small vertebrates[127]
 DD 


Unknown Unknown[136]

White-bellied fat-tailed mouse opossum


T. pallidior
(Thomas, 1902)
Southwestern South America
Map of range
Size: 7–11 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 9–12 cm (4–5 in) tail[137]

Habitat: Shrubland and desert[138]

Diet: Arthropods, as well as leaves, fruit, and seeds[137]
 LC 


Unknown Unknown[138]

Genus
TlacuatzinVoss, Jansa
, 2003 – one species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Grayish mouse opossum

Gray Opossum

T. canescens
(Allen, 1893)
Southern Mexico Size: 8–15 cm (3–6 in) long, plus 9–17 cm (4–7 in) tail[139]

Habitat: Forest and shrubland[140]

Diet: Insects and fruit[139]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[140]

Subfamily Glironiinae

Genus
GlironiaThomas
, 1912 – one species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Bushy-tailed opossum


G. venusta
Thomas, 1912
West-central South America
Map of range
Size: 13–20 cm (5–8 in) long, plus 19–23 cm (7–9 in) tail[141]

Habitat: Forest[142]

Diet: Insects, seeds, fruit, and eggs[142]
 LC 


Unknown Unknown[142]

Subfamily Hyladelphinae

Genus
HyladelphysVoss, Lunde, Simmons
, 2001 – one species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Kalinowski's mouse opossum


H. kalinowskii
(Hershkovitz, 1992)
North-central South America
Map of range
Size: 6–10 cm (2–4 in) long, plus 9–12 cm (4–5 in) tail[143]

Habitat: Forest[144]

Diet: Unknown
 LC 


Unknown Unknown[144]

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Sources