Strigocuscus sangirensis (A. B. Meyer, 1896)

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 : 486

10.

Small Sangihe Cuscus

Strigocuscus sangirensis

French: Phalanger des Sangir / German: Sangihe-Kuskus / Spanish: Cuscuis menor de las Sangihe

Taxonomy. Phalanger sangirensis A. B. Meyer, 1896 ,

“ In insulis Sangi ,” Tabukan , Indonesia (= Greater Sangihe Island, Sangihe Islands, north-east of Sulawesi).

This species has often been recognized as a subspecies of S. celebensis in the past. Studies of possible taxonomic distinctions of populations from the islands of Siau (= Siao) and Sangir (= Greater Sangihe) are needed. Monotypic.

Distribution. Siau and Sangir Is in the Sangihe Archipelago.

Descriptive notes. Head-body ¢.39 cm, tail ¢.39 cm; weight c.1 kg. Like the Small Sulawesi Cuscus ( S. celebensis ), the Small Sangihe Cuscusis a small phalangerid without distinct dorsal stripe. The Small Sangihe Cuscus averages larger in body size, has a larger skull and teeth, and more colorful fur than the Small Sulawesi Cuscus. Fur of the Small Sangihe Cuscus is more prominently tipped with golden highlights, and face, limbs, and tail are yellowish, contrasting with the golden-brown back (uniform gray-brown in the Small Sulawesi Cuscus).

Habitat. Primary and secondary forests.

Food and Feeding. There is no information available for this species.

Breeding. There is no information available for this species.

Activity patterns. There is no specific information available for this species, but the Small Sangihe Cuscus is no doubt nocturnal and primarily arboreal.

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

Status and Conservation. The Small Sangihe Cuscus has not been evaluated on The IUCN Red List because earlier taxonomies (although not formally the IUCN) consider it a subspecies of the Small Sulawesi Cuscus—itself classified as Vulnerable. Like the Talaud Bear Cuscus ( Ailurops melanotis ), the Small Sangihe Cuscus is found only on small islands to the north-east of Sulawesi. The Small Sangihe Cuscus should probably be assessed at high risk of extinction and likely ranks as Endangered or Critically Endangered under IUCN criteria. Threats to the Small Sangihe Cuscus include hunting, forest fragmentation, and possibly capture for animal trade. It may be largely dependent on primary forest, which is being reduced and degraded by logging, agriculture, and human settlement. Detailed studies of remaining populations are crucial. Surveys in the late 1990s found the Small Sangihe Cuscus on Greater Sangihe, but surveys for its presence on Siau and other smaller islands in the archipelago are needed.

Bibliography. Feiler (1990), Flannery (1995b), Groves (1987), Helgen, Aplin, Dickman & Salas (2008), Riley (2002).

Figures

1. Common Brush-tailed Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), 2. Coppery Brush-tailed Possum (Trichosurus johnstonii), 3. Short-eared Brush-tailed Possum (Trichosurus caninus), 4. Mountain Brush-tailed Possum (Trichosurus cunningham), 5. Scaly-tailed Possum (Wyulda squamicaudata), 6. Common Bear Cuscus (Aulurops ursinus), 7. Talaud Bear Cuscus (Aulurops melanotis), 8. Mountain Bear Cuscus (Aulurops furvus), 9. Small Sulawesi Cuscus (Strigocuscus celebensis), 10. Small Sangihe Cuscus (Strigocuscus sangirensis)

Distribution. Siau and Sangir Is in the Sangihe Archipelago.