Monodelphis gardneri, Solari et al., 2012

Astúa, D., 2015, Didelphidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 5 Monotremes and Marsupials, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 129-186 : 153

44.

Gardner’s Short-tailed Opossum

Monodelphis gardneri

French: Opossum de Gardner / German: Gardners Spitzmausbeutelratte / Spanish: Colicorto de Gardner

Taxonomy. Monodelphis gardneri Solari et al., 2012 ,

“ Abra Esperanza , San Alberto , Oxapampa Province, Pasco Department, Peru, elev. 2784 m; GPS coordinates, taken in the field, are 11°56’S, 71°17°W.”

This species is known from eight specimens in four localities. Monotypic.

Distribution. E slope of the Andes in C & S Peru.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 7.6-10 cm, tail 3.9-5.3 cm. No specific data are available for body weight of adults, but one subadult weighed 10-3 g. Dorsal fur of Gardner's Short-tailed Opossum is rich grizzled brown, with three distinct blackish dorsal stripes. Median stripe extends from between ears to base oftail and is wider at mid-dorsum. Two shorter, prominent lateral stripes extend from shoulders to base of tail. Rump has a rufous tint on most specimens. Head is colored as dorsum, with no eye-rings. Tail length is ¢.50% of head-body length, and tail is darker dorsally than ventrally. Fur is ¢.4 mm, and ears are dark brown (blackish in juveniles) and naked. Females lack a pouch, but number of mammae is unknown. Karyotype of Gardner’s Short-tailed Opossum is unknown.

Habitat. Montane forests on eastern slope of Andes in central and southern Peru at elevations of 1785-2800 m. The few known specimens of Gardner’s Short-tailed Opossum were collected in undisturbed, humid, and dense montane forest; in montane forests with varying degrees of intergradation, from dense to semi-open; at the edge between a forest and an open sphagnum bog;in thickets of dense brush and bamboo; and at the edge of a clearing in cloud forest behind a house.

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 information available for this species.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no specific information for this species, but Gardner’s Short-tailed Opossum is probably ground dwelling. It has been captured in live traps set on the ground and in pitfall traps.

Status and Conservation. Gardner’s Short-tailed Opossum has not been assessed on The IUCN Red List. It does occur in at least one protected area, Yanachaga-Chemillén National Park, Pasco, but because it is known only from four localities and there is no information on population size, its status may be difficult to establish. Conservation status of all opossums is being reassessed by the [IUCN New World Marsupial Specialists Group.

Bibliography. Pine & Handley (2007), Solari (2010), Solari et al. (2012).

Figures

65. Pygmy Opossum (Chacodelphys formosa), 66. Agricola’s Opossum (Cryptonanus agricola), 67. Chacoan Mouse Opossum (Cryptonanus chacoensis), 68. Guaiba Mouse Opossum (Cryptonanus guahybae), 69. Unduavi Mouse Opossum (Cryptonanus unduaviensis), 70. . Emilie’s. 9 Opossum.. Gracilinanus. (null), 71. Aceramarca Opossum (Gracilinanus aceramarcae), 72. Agile Opossum (Gracilinanus agilis), 73. Wood Sprite Opossum (Gracilinanus dryas), 74. Northern Gracile Opossum (Gracilinanus marica), 75. Brazilian Gracile Opossum (Gracilinanus microtarsus)

Distribution. E slope of the Andes in C & S Peru.