Pseudochirops coronatus (Thomas, 1897)

Russell A. Mittermeier & Don E. Wilson, 2015, Pseudocheiridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 5 Monotremes and Marsupials, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 498-530 : 529

19.

Reclusive Ring-tailed Possum

Pseudochirops coronatus

French: Possum couronné / German: GroRRer LanghaarRingbeutler / Spanish: Falangero de cola anillada solitario

Other common names: Reclusive Ringtail

Taxonomy. Pseudochirus albertisi coronatus Thomas, 1897 ,

“ Arfak Mountains , N. W. New Guinea, at 2000 metres altitude.”

This species was classified as ajunior synonym of P. albertisii , but it was recognized as a distinct species in the 1990s. Monotypic.

Distribution. NW New Guinea, Arfak Mis in the Bird's Head (= Vogelkop) Peninsula.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 34-35 cm, tail 28-33 cm; weight 1-5 kg. The Reclusive Ring-tailed Possum differs from D’Albertis’s Ring-tailed Possum ( P. albertisii ), which it superficially resembles, by being 50% larger and having softer and longer fur, short hairs near tips of ears, darker gray underfur, and larger cheek teeth. It differs from the Coppery Ring-tailed Possum ( P. cupreus ) in having longer fur on at least one-half ofits tail.

Habitat. Apparently only primary forest in areas that are remote from villages. The Reclusive Ring-tailed Possum has been recorded at elevations of 1000-2250 m.

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 information available for this species.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List. Potential threats to the Reclusive Ring-tailed Possum include overhunting for food by the local people and loss of habitat.

Bibliography. Flannery (1994a, 1995a), Flannery et al. (2008).

Figures

13. Western Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis), 14. Eastern Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus), 15. Rock Ring-tailed Possum (Petropseudes dahl), 16. D’Albertis’s Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudochirops albertisii), 17. Green Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudochirops archeri), 18. Plush-coated Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudochirops corinnae), 19. Reclusive Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudochirops coronatus), 20. Coppery Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudochirops cupreus)

Distribution. NW New Guinea, Arfak Mis in the Bird's Head (= Vogelkop) Peninsula.