Scaly-tailed possum
Scaly-tailed possum | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Infraclass: | Marsupialia |
Order: | Diprotodontia |
Family: | Phalangeridae |
Genus: | Wyulda |
Species: | W. squamicaudata
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Binomial name | |
Wyulda squamicaudata Alexander, 1918
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Scaly-tailed possum range |
The scaly-tailed possum (Wyulda squamicaudata) is found in northwestern
They are light grey over most of the body and have relatively short ears and muzzle. The mostly hairless tail is able to curl around the branches of trees as the possum forages for food, its grasp is aided by rasp-ilke scales and is strong enough to hold its own weight. The species favours complex rocky terrain with dense thickets of vines and the fruiting trees that provide much of their diet.
Taxonomy
The new species was presented to the
Aside from scaly-tailed possum, the recorded names for the species include ilangurra and yilangal (the latter by the
Description
An arboreal species of the
Wyulda squamicaudata is a slow growing species, the rate of increase in skull length for juveniles is 0.26 mm per day. The weight when the female reaches a reproductive age at two years old is 1.1 kg (2.4 lb). less than the weight range of fully mature individuals. There is no difference in weight between genders and is not known to be seasonally variable.[6]
The species has been allied within the family
The parasites known to use Wyulda squamicaudata as a host include internal species, the cestode
Behaviour
Wyulda squamicaudata is a nocturnal animal that usually occurs alone. Their behaviour is discreet and shy while foraging in trees or over rocks. They demonstrate great agility when climbing, assisted by a prehensile tail that is strong enough to support themselves from a branch while reaching for leaves and other food.[5] Reproduction takes place during the dry season of north west Australia, usually between March and August and occasionally giving birth later in that season. The maternal rearing period of the young includes 150 to 200 days within the pouch and another eight months to become independent of the mother; reproductive maturity for the female is reached after two years.[1]
Usually found in denser wooded areas, W. squamicaudata may be seen foraging in open areas. The diet largely includes leaves, seeds, roots and flowering parts of plants, although nuts and insects are also consumed.[1] A study of the species found that up to three quarters of the diet is composed of fruits.[7]
Distribution and habitat
The possum has a limited range and is found in the high rainfall near coastal regions of the north Kimberley between Yampi Sound and Kalumburu, and a smaller population that occurs inland in the east Kimberley at Emma Gorge.[8][9]
Wyulda squamicaudata is most widely reported across the
The species' type location is in the eastern Kimberley, at Violet Valley near
Wyulda squamicaudata has disappeared at some locations, where they are assumed to have succumbed to frequent and higher intensity fires and predation by feral cats. An outlying occurrence in Broome reported in 1970 is thought have been a displaced individual.[1]
The northern brushtail possum Trichosurus arnhemensis occurs in the same region as this species, but does not appear to share the same habitat.[6]
Conservation
The IUCN Red List assigns a conservation status of near threatened for the species. The population was assessed in 2014 as numbering between 5000 and 10,000 with evidence that it is decreasing.[1]
References
- ^ . Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- OCLC 62265494.
- ^ Alexander, W.B. (1919). "A new species of marsupial of the subfamily Phalangerinae". Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. 4: 31–36.
- ^ "Wunambal Gaambera Partnership". Bush Heritage Australia. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
- ^ ISBN 9780195573954.
- ^ a b c d Humphreys, W.F.; How, R.A.; Bradley, A.J.; Kemper, C.M.; Kitchener, D.J. (1984). "The biology of Wyulda squamicaudata, Alexander 1919". In Smith, A.P.; Hume, I.D. (eds.). Possums and Gliders. Surrey: Beatty and sons. pp. 162–169.
- ^ S2CID 88822120.
- ^ doi:10.1071/AM11039.
- S2CID 16476367.
- ^ "Action Plan for Australian Marsupials and Monotremes". 1996. Retrieved 2009-03-11.
- ^ "Charnley River – Artesian Range: ACE". Australian Wildlife Conservancy. Retrieved 2 January 2021.