Phalanger pelengensus (Tate, 1945)

Russell A. Mittermeier & Don E. Wilson, 2015, Phalangeridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 5 Monotremes and Marsupials, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 456-497 : 489

11.

Peleng Cuscus

Phalanger pelengensus

French: Phalanger de Peleng / German: Peleng-Kuskus / Spanish: Cuscus de Peleng

Other common names: Banggai Cuscus, Menden’s Cuscus, Peleng Phalanger

Taxonomy. Phalanger celebensis pelengensis Tate, 1945 ,

“ Peleng Island , Celebes ” (= Sulawesi, Indonesia).

Some recent authors have included this species in the genus Strigocuscus , but others have traditionally retained it within Phalanger . Molecular genetic studies show thatit is more closely allied phylogenetically to species of Phalanger and best classified in that genus. This species is endemic to Indonesia where it is recorded only from Peleng and the Sulislands, east of Sulawesi. It is likely also to occur in geographically intervening islands of the Banggai Archipelago between Peleng and Taliabu islands. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

P.p.pelengensisTate,1945—BanggaiArchipelago(PelengI).

P. p. mendeni Feiler, 1978 — Sula Is (Taliabu, Seho, Mangole, and Sanana).

Descriptive notes. Head—body 35-37 cm, tail 25-30 cm; weight 1.1-1.2 kg. The Peleng Cuscusis relatively small and most closely resembles the Small Sulawesi Cuscus ( Strigocuscus celebensis ) externally, but it has a tawny to orange-brown dorsum instead of a uniform grayish-brown body color, and it has a yellow belly instead of white. The Peleng Cuscus resembles the Obi Cuscus ( P. rothschildi ) in color and size but lacks mid-dorsalstripe.

Habitat. Common in secondary growth and gardens on Mangole, Taliabu, and Pulau Seho islands. The Peleng Cuscus also likely occurs in primary forests.

Food and Feeding. The Peleng Cuscusis folivorous—frugivorous and feeds in cultivated trees in traditional agricultural garden habitats.

Breeding. The Peleng Cuscus breeds throughout the year and produces one offspring at a ume.

Activity patterns. There is no specific information available for this species, but the Peleng Cuscus is no doubt nocturnal, sleeping in trees by day.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no information available for this species.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List (as Strigocuscus pelengensis ). Although distribution of the Peleng Cuscusis relatively small, it is apparently common where it occurs and appears to be versatile in the face of some degree of habitat degradation. Further study is needed to better understand the conservation status of the Peleng Cuscus.

Bibliography. Flannery (1994a, 1995b), Leary, Singadan, Menzies, Helgen, Allison et al. (2008d), Lucking & Stones (1996), Tate (1945b).

Figures

11. Peleng Cuscus (Phalanger pelengensus), 12. Moluccan Cuscus (Phalanger ornatus), 13. Gebe Cuscus (Phalanger alexandrae), 14. Obi Cuscus (Phalanger rothschildi), 15. Ground Cuscus (Phalanger gymnotis), 16. Woodlark Cuscus (Phalanger lullulae), 17. Northern Common Cuscus (Phalanger orientalis), 18. Eastern Common Cuscus (Phalanger intercastellanus), 19. Southern Common Cuscus (Phalanger mimicus), 20. Telefomin Cuscus (Phalanger matanim), 21. Stein’s Cuscus (Phalanger vestitus), 22. Silky Cuscus (Phalanger sericeus), 23. Mountain Cuscus (Phalanger carmelitae), 24. Black Spotted Cuscus (Spilocuscus rufoniger), 25. Waigeo Spotted Cuscus (Spilocuscus papuensis), 26. Admiralty Spotted Cuscus (Spilocuscus kraemeri), 27. Blue-eyed Spotted Cuscus (Spilocuscus wilsoni), 28. Common Spotted Cuscus (Spilocuscus maculatus), 29. Australian Spotted Cuscus (Spilocuscus nudicaudatus)

Subspecies and Distribution. P.p.pelengensisTate,1945—BanggaiArchipelago(PelengI). P. p. mendeni Feiler, 1978 — Sula Is (Taliabu, Seho, Mangole, and Sanana).