Phalangeriformes is a paraphyletic suborder of about 70 species of small to medium-sized arboreal marsupials native to Australia, New Guinea, and Sulawesi. The species are commonly known as possums, gliders, and cuscus. The common name "possum" for various Phalangeriformes species derives from the creatures' resemblance to the opossums of the Americas. However, although opossums are also marsupials, Australasian possums are more closely related to other Australasian marsupials such as kangaroos.
Petauridae is a family of possums containing 11 species: four species of trioks and striped possum, six species of wrist-winged glider, and Leadbeater's possum, which has only vestigial gliding membranes. Most of the wrist-winged gliders are native to Australia, whereas most of the striped possums to New Guinea, but some members of each group are found on both sides of the Torres Strait. Leadbeater's possum is endemic to Victoria, Australia.
The striped possum or common striped possum is a member of the marsupial family Petauridae. It is found mainly in New Guinea. The species is black with three white stripes running head to tail, and its head has white stripes that form a 'Y' shape. It is closely related to the sugar glider, and is similar in appearance.
The long-nosed dasyure is a species of marsupial in the family Dasyuridae. It is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.
The broad-striped dasyure is a species of marsupial in the family Dasyuridae. It is endemic to Papua New Guinea. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.
The red-bellied dasyure or red-bellied marsupial shrew is a species of marsupial in the family Dasyuridae endemic to West Papua. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.
The narrow-striped dasyure or narrow-striped marsupial shrew is a species of marsupial in the family Dasyuridae found in West Papua and Papua New Guinea. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.
The Papuan bandicoot is a species of marsupial in the family Peramelidae. It is endemic to the Bird's Tail Peninsula. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests. M. papuensis is a small bandicoot with a soft coat with a clear back, upper torso and face stripes. Its head to body length is 18–21 cm (7.1–8.3 in), the tail is 14–16 cm (5.5–6.3 in) long, the hind foot is from 43 to 47 mm long, the ears are 25 to 28 mm long and the animal weighs 145–184 g (5.1–6.5 oz).
Dactylopsila is a genus of marsupials in the family Petauridae, native to New Guinea, the Cape York peninsula of Australia, and other close islands. Members of this genus are known as trioks or striped possums, though the latter name is usually used for D. trivirgata.
The long-fingered triok is a species of marsupial in the family Petauridae. It is found in West Papua, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
Tate's triok, also known as the Fergusson Island striped possum, is a species of marsupial in the family Petauridae. It is endemic to Papua New Guinea. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.
The lowlands tree-kangaroo, also spelt "lowland," is a long-tailed, furry, bear-like mammal found only in lowland tropical rainforests on the island of New Guinea. It is a species of tree-kangaroo, which are tree-dwelling animals that feed on leaves or other plant matter. Tree-kangaroos are in the macropod family (Macropodidae) with kangaroos, and like other marsupials they carry their young in a pouch. The lowlands tree-kangaroo is threatened by habitat loss.
The feather-tailed possum is a species of marsupial in the family Acrobatidae. It is found in West Papua and Papua New Guinea. It is not to be confused with the feathertail glider, the only other species in the family Acrobatidae.
Macleay's dorcopsis, also known as the Papuan dorcopsis or the Papuan forest wallaby, is a species of marsupial in the family Macropodidae. It is endemic to Papua New Guinea, where its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forest]. Being little threatened by habitat destruction, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated it as being of "least concern".
The northern glider is a species of marsupial in the family Petauridae. It is endemic to Papua New Guinea, becoming known to science in 1981 after being discovered in the Torricelli Mountains. This species has been found in primary, mid-montane tropical moist forests. It is also known from rural gardens close to forest. The northern glider is Critically Endangered because its occurrence is less than 100 km2, all individuals are located within a single area, and a continuing decline of its habitat quality due to deforestation and human encroachment. They also face a major threat from hunting.
