Rock-haunting ringtail possum

Last updated

Rock-haunting ringtail possum [1]
Pseudocheirus dahli (male) - Museo Civico di Storia Naturale Giacomo Doria - Genoa, Italy - DSC03035.JPG
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Marsupialia
Order: Diprotodontia
Family: Pseudocheiridae
Subfamily: Pseudocheirinae
Genus: Petropseudes
Thomas, 1923
Species:
P. dahli
Binomial name
Petropseudes dahli
(Collett, 1895)
Rock-haunting Ringtail Possum area.png
Rock-haunting ringtail possum range

The rock-haunting ringtail possum (Petropseudes dahli), also known as the rock ringtail possum, is a species of Australian possum. It is found in rocky escarpments in the Kimberley, Arnhem Land and Gulf of Carpentaria across Western Australia and Northern Territory and just passing the Queensland border. It is also found on Groote Eylandt. [3] It is the only species in the genus Petropseudes, but is part of the group including the common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus). [1]

Contents

The rock-haunting ringtail possum has one of the shortest tails of all ringtail possums, and at its end it is hairless and scaly. It lives in small groups and is mainly herbivorous. It has a stocky build and is mostly grey in colour. [3]

Description

The rock-haunting ringtail possum is almost the size of a small rabbit. It is grey to reddish-grey in colour on the back, while its underside is a light cream colour. It has white hair patches underneath its small, round ears and both above and below the eyes. [4] A mid-dorsal stripe runs from the crown of the head to the middle of the back. Like other possums, it has a prehensile tail, adapted for grasping especially by wrapping around. However, the tail is unique in its appearance compared to that of other possums as it is covered with fur only halfway down. Males are 33.4 to 37.5 cm long while females are generally bigger and range from 34.9 to 38.3 cm in length and weigh between 1,280 and 2,000 grams. Another uncommon feature in the appearance of this species is that it has vertical pupils. [5]

Ecology

The rock-haunting ringtail possum disperses seeds through its fruit eating habits. It also influences termite populations and acts as prey for regional predators.

The rock-haunting ringtail possum has been affected by human induced habitat fragmentation and hence, its numbers have decreased significantly. The species is listed as a priority species in Western Australia. [6]

Habitat

The rock-haunting ringtail possum lives exclusively in rocky outcrops and prefers areas with large boulders and deeply fissured rock. It uses the crevices to hide by just sticking its head into the crevice with the body exposed. It is strictly nocturnal; it only moves out of its sheltered rock crevices to climbing trees to feed at night. It does not make a nest and has been observed occasionally to be sleeping in well protected rock ledges during the day. This suggests a high level of adaptation to a terrestrial existence. Indicators of a reduction in arboreal adaptation are shorter legs, shorter claws, shorter tail and a slightly longer snout. [5]

Diet

The rock-haunting ringtail possum eats fruits, flowers and leaves of a variety of trees found near its habitat and occasionally feeds on termites. It usually stays close to the rocks while feeding but has been found as far as 100m from the nearest outcrop. Most common of the blossoms it eats are of Darwin Woollybutt ( Eucalyptus miniata ) and Darwin Stringybark ( Eucalyptus tetrodonta ). Its major fruit intake is from Zyziphus oenoplia , Vitex glabrata , Billy Goat Plum ( Terminalia ferdinandiana ), and Owenia vernicosa . Leaves eaten include Flagelleria indica , Sersalisia sericea , and vine reedcane. [5]

Known predators

Some known predators of the rock-haunting ringtail possum are the Dingo (Canis lupus dingo), the Oenpelli Python (Morelia oenpelliensis), the Olive Python (Liasis olivaceous), quolls (Dasyurus spp.), owls (Strigiformes), feral cats (Felis catus), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and humans (Homo sapiens). [4] The rock-haunting ringtail possum spends a large amount of time participating in sentinel behaviour to avoid predators. It perches on branches or ledges and scans the area for danger. In an attempt to deter predators and to warn others, this possum beats its tail against tree branches vigorously causing the entire tree to shake. [7]

Lifestyle

Of all the Australian possums, the rock-haunting ringtail possum lives in the most tightly knit family groups. Adults and their young will stay within 2–3 metres of each other throughout the night. [5] The family groups are generally made up of about 4 individuals, although group sizes of 2 to 10 individuals have been reported. The possum spends most of its time sheltered within rock piles or crevices. [7] After dark it moves from its rocky home into the nearby trees where it feeds. This possum is secretive, difficult to trap and avoids contact and confrontation as far as possible. It is primarily terrestrial, moving into the trees only to feed. This distinguishes it from its close, mostly arboreal relatives. [6] Its eye-shine is very bright in a spotlight but unlike most possums, it does not freeze when caught in a beam of light. Instead, it retreats to its rock shelter or crevices where it hides with its head in the crevice but its body exposed. [5]

Reproduction

There appears to be no particular season for breeding. However, females with a large young in the pouch and a young on the back have been seen in March, July, August and September. Although the gestation period information is not available for the species, it is known that close relatives have gestation periods from 16 to 30 days. The new offspring spends its first five weeks in the female's large pouch which has two teats. The parents usually carry the new offspring on their back after they have left the mother's pouch. Caring for the young is divided nearly equally among the parents. The parents are assisted in raising the offspring by the previous offspring who commonly stay with the family unit. [5] The parents practice protective behaviours such as spend time watching for predators, tail beating, and vocalizing and marshaling the young to keep them relatively close. [7]

Home range and obligate monogamy

Both sexes have about the same home range size. Average home range is 0.9 hectares, with home ranges ranging in size from 0.5 to 1.2 hectares. The average density in these home ranges is 0.4 possums per hectare. [5] Females live with one male in their home range, which are commonly marked by scent posts. To scent-mark, the rock-haunting ringtail possum rubs or presses their cloacal-caudal region or chest against the surface. While the possum also marked rock ledges and trees within its home ranges, scent marking was most vigorous around den sites. [7]

The rock-haunting ringtail possum is one of few obligate monogamous marsupial species. A consistent characteristic of obligate monogamy displayed by this species is the existence of cohesive and persistent pair bonds with mutual or asymmetrical attraction between adults. [8] Both sexes of this species maintain strong pair bonds, as shown by the wide array of maintenance behaviours, which is a measure of bond 'strength'. However, males maintained the pair bond at a higher rate than females. Both sexes shared the decision-making process in terms of changing group activity. [7]

Presence of long-lasting bonds between parents and young seen in the family of this species is another attribute of obligate monogamy. Both sexes of the rock-haunting ringtail possum showed substantial long-term care of offspring. An unusual interaction observed between parents and young were the embrace by adult males and the bridge formation. Both sexes embrace young, whereas only females engage in bridge formation. [7] The mother allows her young to move from branch to branch by using her body as a bridge. This has never been seen in another possum. [9] Embracing is a way for the adults to know the stage of maturation of the offspring. [10] A third feature of obligate monogamy shown by the Rock-haunting Ringtail Possum is the rearing of younger siblings by juveniles. [7]

Communication

The rock-haunting ringtail possum mostly uses scent to communicate. Adult possums have a distinct gland on the chest and males have a paracloacal gland which is about 2 cm in diameter. [5] The possum maintains scent posts that are visited commonly. The rock-haunting ringtail possum uses both urine and faeces to mark these areas. This possum is also thought to mark tree branches using its paracloacal gland. The rock-haunting ringtail possum has been observed striking its tail against rocks, possibly as a form of communication. [7] The species also is able to make quiet screeches and grunts that serve as auditory communication. [5]

In Aboriginal language and culture

The Kunwinjku of Western Arnhem Land hunted ngingma, as they call this possum by placing sugar bag (bush honey) on a rock. Attracted to the bait the animal was then speared. [11] Another name for this species in Bininj Kunwok is djorrkkun. [12] [13] Knut Dahl, who caught the specimen from which the specimen from which the species was described, called it a wogoit, the name the local tribe used for the animal. [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phalangeriformes</span> Suborder of arboreal marsupials

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common brushtail possum</span> Species of marsupial

The common brushtail possum is a nocturnal, semiarboreal marsupial of the family Phalangeridae, native to Australia and invasive in New Zealand, and the second-largest of the possums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Squirrel glider</span> Species of marsupial

The squirrel glider is a nocturnal gliding possum. The squirrel glider is one of the wrist-winged gliders of the genus Petaurus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern brown bandicoot</span> Species of marsupial

The northern brown bandicoot, a marsupial species, is a bandicoot found only on the northern and eastern coasts of Australia and nearby islands, mainly Papua New Guinea. It is not, however, found far inland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common ringtail possum</span> Species of marsupial

The common ringtail possum is an Australian marsupial.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pseudocheiridae</span> Family of marsupials

Pseudocheiridae is a family of arboreal marsupials containing 17 extant species of ringtailed possums and close relatives. They are found in forested areas and shrublands throughout Australia and New Guinea.

<i>Pseudocheirus</i> Genus of marsupials

Pseudocheirus is a genus of ringtail possums. It includes a single living species, the common ringtail possum of Australia, as well as the fossil Pseudocheirus marshalli from the Pliocene of Victoria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Powerful owl</span> Species of owl

The powerful owl, a species of owl native to south-eastern and eastern Australia, is the largest owl on the continent. It is found in coastal areas and in the Great Dividing Range, rarely more than 200 km (120 mi) inland. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species also refers to this species as the powerful boobook.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oenpelli python</span> Species of snake

The Oenpelli python or Oenpelli rock python is a species of large snake in the family Pythonidae. The species is endemic to the sandstone massif area of the western Arnhem Land region in the Northern Territory of Australia. There are no subspecies that are recognised as being valid. It has been called the rarest python in the world. Two notable characteristics of the species are the unusually large size of its eggs and its ability to change colour. It is the longest snake native to the Northern Territory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scaly-tailed possum</span> Species of marsupial

The scaly-tailed possum is found in northwestern Australia, where it is restricted to the Kimberley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greater glider</span> Genus of marsupials

The greater gliders are three species of large gliding marsupials in the genus Petauroides, all of which are found in eastern Australia. Until 2020 they were considered to be one species, Petauroides volans. In 2020 morphological and genetic differences, obtained using diversity arrays technology, showed there were three species subsumed under this one name. The two new species were named Petauroides armillatus and Petauroides minor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agile wallaby</span> Species of marsupial

The agile wallaby, also known as the sandy wallaby, is a species of wallaby found in northern Australia and southern New Guinea. It is the most common wallaby in north Australia. The agile wallaby is a sandy colour, becoming paler below. It is sometimes solitary and at other times sociable and grazes on grasses and other plants. The agile wallaby is not considered threatened.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black wallaroo</span> Species of marsupial

The black wallaroo, also known as Woodward's wallaroo, is a species of macropod restricted to a small, mountainous area in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia, between South Alligator River and Nabarlek. It classified as near threatened, mostly due to its limited distribution. A large proportion of the range is protected by Kakadu National Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nabarlek</span> Species of marsupial

The nabarlek is a small species of macropod found in northern Australia. They are a shy and nocturnal animal that resides in rocky hollows and forages in the surrounding area. Their diet is grasses, sedges, and ferns found in and around their scrub covered refuges. They are distinguished by a reddish tinge to the mostly grey fur and a distinct stripe at the cheek. They move with great speed and agility when observed, with a forward leaning posture and a bushy tail that arches over the back.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western ringtail possum</span> Species of possum found in Southwest Australia

The western ringtail possum or ngwayir is a species of possum found in a small area of Southwest Australia. They are a cat-sized marsupial with a stocky build, dark greyish-brown fur, pale underparts and a long prehensile tail with a whitish tip. Ngwayir forage at night through the upper canopy of trees, feeding on young leaves, flowers and fruit, especially in groves of the weeping peppermint Agonis flexuosa. Breeding occurs mainly during the winter, the single juvenile emerging from the pouch after about three months. The population has declined by more than 95% since British settlement, due to clearing of habitat, fire and the introduction of the red fox Vulpes vulpes, and is classified as Critically Endangered. The population in most areas has catastrophically declined or become locally extinct, but strongholds remain in the urbanised areas near Busselton and Albany.

Ringtail, ring tail, or ring-tail may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern brushtail possum</span> Species of marsupial

The northern brushtail possum is a nocturnal marsupial inhabiting northern Australia. The northern brushtail possum is sometimes considered a species; however, more often than not is considered a subspecies of the common brushtail possum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Petauroidea</span> Superfamily of marsupials

Petauroidea is a superfamily of marsupials from Australia and New Guinea. It is part of the suborder Phalangeriformes within the order Diprotodontia, which also includes, among others, wombats, kangaroos, cuscuses. The superfamily Phalangeroidea, including cuscuses and brushtail possums and pygmy possums, is the immediate sister group of the Petauroidea. The earliest fossils from this superfamily are from the Oligocene of the Geilston Bay fossil site in Tasmania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arnhem Land tropical savanna</span> Ecoregion in Northern Territory, Australia

The Arnhem Land tropical savanna is a tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands ecoregion in Australia's Northern Territory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black rock skink</span> Species of lizard

The black rock skink is a species of large skink native to Eastern and Southern Australia from central New South Wales to Grampians National Park in Victoria. A large, dark colored skink, up to 135 mm from snout to base of the tail, the black rock skink is the first reptile discovered to have a "nuclear family" structure where the parents form a pair and care for their offspring for more than one year. The black rock skink is a viviparous skink meaning females give birth to live offspring instead of laying eggs. They defend their home range and families against conspecifics for up to several years.

References

  1. 1 2 Groves, C. P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 51. ISBN   0-801-88221-4. OCLC   62265494.
  2. Burbidge, A.; Woinarski, J.; Winter, J.; Runcie, M. (2016). "Petropseudes dahli". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T40580A21962333. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T40580A21962333.en . Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  3. 1 2 Menkhorst, Peter (2001). A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Oxford University Press. p. 96.
  4. 1 2 ADW: Petropseudes dahli: Information
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Collett; Kerle, J.A.; Winter, J.W. (1995). Strahan, R. (ed.). The Mammals of Australia (2nd ed.). Carlton, VIC: New Holland Publishers Pty Ltd.
  6. 1 2 McKay, G.M. (1989). Walton, D.W.; Richardson, B.J. (eds.). "Family Petauridae". Fauna of Australia. 1B. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing: 665–678.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Runcie, M.J. (1999). "Biparental care and obligate monogamy in the rock-haunting possum, Petropseudes dahli, from tropical Australia". Animal Behaviour. 59 (5): 1001–1008. doi:10.1006/anbe.1999.1392. PMID   10860527. S2CID   33211860.
  8. Eisenberg, J. F.; Muckenhirn, N. A.; Rudran, R. (1972). "The relation between ecology and social structure in primates". Science. 176 (4037): 863–875. doi:10.1126/science.176.4037.863. PMID   17829291.
  9. Martin, S. (2002). "Declining mammals of the savannas". Tropical Topics. 75: 1–8.
  10. Carpenter, C.R. (1940). "A field study in Siam of the behaviour and social relations of the gibbon (Hylobates lar)". Comparative Psychology Monographs. 16: 1–212.
  11. Goodfellow, D. (1993). Fauna of Kakadu and the Top End. Wakefield Press. p. 25. ISBN   1862543062.
  12. "Rock-Ringtail Possum". pad.katalyst.com.au. Bininj Kunwok. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  13. Garde, Murray. "djorrkkun". Bininj Kunwok Online Dictionary. Bininj Kunwok Regional Language Centre. Retrieved 30 Oct 2021.
  14. Pethon, P. "Eventyreren og krokodillene ved verdens ende". Samlingsekspedisjoner. University of Oslo. Retrieved 17 June 2024.