Black-shouldered opossum

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Black-shouldered opossum
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Marsupialia
Order: Didelphimorphia
Family: Didelphidae
Subfamily: Caluromyinae
Genus: Caluromysiops
Sanborn, 1951
Species:
C. irrupta
Binomial name
Caluromysiops irrupta
Sanborn, 1951
Black-shouldered Opossum area.png
Black-shouldered opossum range

The black-shouldered opossum (Caluromysiops irrupta), also known as the white-eared opossum, is an opossum known from western Brazil and southeastern Peru. It was first described by Colin Campbell Sanborn, curator of Field Museum of Natural History, in 1951. The black-shouldered opossum is characterized by a gray coat, gray underbelly, and broad black stripes that extend from the forefeet, meet on the shoulders, run along the midline of the back and then split into parallel stripes that run down the hind feet. Little is known of the behavior of the black-shouldered opossum. It is nocturnal and arboreal. It is known to feed on fruits and rodents. The opossum inhabits humid forests. The IUCN classifies it as least concern. [1]

Taxonomy

The black-shouldered opossum is the sole member of Caluromysiops, and is placed in the family Didelphidae. [2] No subspecies are recognized. [3]

The cladogram below, based on a 2016 study, shows the phylogenetic relationships of the brown-eared woolly opossum. [4]

Bushy-tailed opossum (Glironia venusta)

Caluromyinae

Black-shouldered opossum (Caluromysiops irrupta)

Derby's woolly opossum (Caluromys derbianus)

Bare-tailed woolly opossum (Caluromys philander)

Brown-eared woolly opossum (Caluromys lanatus)

Description

The black-shouldered opossum is characterized by a gray coat, gray underbelly with buff-tipped hairs, and broad black stripes that extend from the forefeet, meet on the shoulders, run along the midline of the back and then split into parallel stripes that run down the hindfeet. Indistinct dark lines run through the eyes. 60 to 75 percent of the length of the tail is darker than the coat dorsally (on the back), while the rest is white. Except for the last 75 percent of the length at the base, the tail is bushy. Like Caluromys species, its fur is soft, thick and woolly, and has a similar skull. However, it differs from them in having a shorter rostrum and larger molars. [5] The head-and-body length is between 25 and 33 centimetres (9.8 and 13.0 in) and the tail measures 31–40 centimetres (12–16 in). The hindfeet measure 6.7 centimetres (2.6 in), while the ears 3.7 centimetres (1.5 in). [6]

Ecology and behavior

The black-shouldered opossum's behavior is not well documented. It is nocturnal and arboreal. It spends a significant amount of time in trees, mainly on high branches. Studies suggest individual diet preferences; the opossums feed on rodents as well as fruits. Lifespan in captivity has been known to exceed seven years. [5] [6] Up to two young have been recorded. [7]

Distribution and status

The black-shouldered opossum occurs in humid forests of western Brazil and southeastern Peru, and probably in Bolivia as well. There are also reported sightings near the Peru-Ecuador border, but these are most likely based on captives . [8] It is known only from five different localities. The IUCN classifies it as least concern given its wide distribution and presumably large population. A possible threat to its survival is deforestation. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Opossum</span> Family of mammals

Opossums are members of the marsupial order Didelphimorphia endemic to the Americas. The largest order of marsupials in the Western Hemisphere, it comprises 126 species in 18 genera. Opossums originated in South America and entered North America in the Great American Interchange following the connection of North and South America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-bellied woolly mouse opossum</span> Species of marsupial

The white-bellied woolly mouse opossum is a small pouchless marsupial of the family Didelphidae. It was formerly assigned to the genus Micoureus, which was made a subgenus of Marmosa in 2009. The specific epithet was given in honour of Constance Sladen, wife of the naturalist Percy Sladen. She funded the 1902 expedition which collected the type specimen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woolly mouse opossum</span> Species of marsupial

The woolly mouse opossum or long-furred woolly mouse opossum, known locally as the cuíca, is a South American marsupial of the family Didelphidae. Its range includes central Colombia, Venezuela, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, eastern Peru, northern Bolivia, and northern Brazil. It was formerly assigned to the genus Micoureus, which was made a subgenus of Marmosa in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bare-tailed woolly mouse opossum</span> Species of marsupial

The bare-tailed woolly mouse opossum or short-furred woolly mouse opossum is a South American marsupial of the family Didelphidae. Its range includes Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. It is found in tropical rainforest in the westernmost portion of the Amazon Basin and the eastern foothills of the Andes, at elevations up to 1634 m. It was formerly assigned to the genus Micoureus, which was made a subgenus of Marmosa in 2009.

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

The water opossum, also locally known as the yapok, is a marsupial of the family Didelphidae. It is the only living member of its genus, Chironectes. This semiaquatic creature is found in and near freshwater streams and lakes from Mexico through Central and South America to Argentina and is the most aquatic living marsupial. It is also the only living marsupial in which both sexes have a pouch. The thylacine, commonly referred to as the Tasmanian tiger, also exhibited this trait, but it is now extinct.

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

The dusky caenolestid, also known as Tate's shrew opossum, is a shrew opossum from South America. The dusky caenolestid is characterized by a dark brown coat with a lighter underbelly, soft and thick fur, and a loosely haired tail. A nocturnal animal, the dusky caenolestid lives on trees and feeds on insects and small invertebrates and vertebrates. It occurs in alpine and páramo forests in northern and western Colombia, Ecuador, and western Venezuela. The IUCN classifies this shrew opossum as least concern.

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

The bushy-tailed opossum is an opossum from South America. It was first described by English zoologist Oldfield Thomas in 1912. It is a medium-sized opossum characterized by a large, oval, dark ears, fawn to cinnamon coat with a buff to gray underside, grayish limbs, and a furry tail. Little is known of the behavior of the bushy-tailed opossum; less than 25 specimens are known. It appears to be arboreal (tree-living), nocturnal and solitary. The diet probably comprises insects, eggs and plant material. This opossum has been captured from heavy, humid, tropical forests; it has been reported from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. The IUCN classifies it as least concern.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gray four-eyed opossum</span> Species of marsupial

The gray four-eyed opossum is an opossum species from Central and South America, ranging from southern Mexico to Peru, Bolivia and southwestern Brazil, at altitudes from sea level to 1600 m, but generally below 1,000 metres (3,300 ft). Its habitats include primary, secondary and disturbed forest. It is one of many opossum species in the order Didelphimorphia and the family Didelphidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bare-tailed woolly opossum</span> Species of marsupial

The bare-tailed woolly opossum is an opossum from South America. It was first described by Swedish zoologist Carl Linnaeus in 1758. The bare-tailed woolly opossum is characterized by a gray head, brown to gray coat, orange to gray underside and a partially naked tail. It is nocturnal and solitary; there is hardly any social interaction except between mother and juveniles and in mating pairs. The opossum constructs nests in tree cavities, and its litter size ranges from one to seven. Gestation lasts 25 days, and the juveniles exit the pouch after three months; weaning occurs a month later. The bare-tailed woolly opossum inhabits subtropical forests, rainforests, secondary forests, and plantations; its range extends from northern Venezuela to northeastern and southcentral Brazil. The IUCN classifies this opossum as least concern.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brown-eared woolly opossum</span> Species of marsupial

The brown-eared woolly opossum, also known as the western woolly opossum, is an opossum from South America. It was first described by German naturalist Ignaz von Olfers in 1818. The opossum is characterized by a brown to reddish brown coat and similarly colored limbs, yellow to orange underbelly, hairless, brown ears with a hint of pink, and a tail furred on the back for up to half of its length. The brown-eared woolly opossum is nocturnal, solitary and omnivorous. The IUCN lists it as least concern.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southeastern four-eyed opossum</span> Species of marsupial

The southeastern four-eyed opossum is an opossum species native to South America. It is found in Atlantic Forest ecoregions, in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anderson's four-eyed opossum</span> Species of marsupial

Anderson's four-eyed opossum is an opossum species from South America. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. Its dorsal fur is dark, with a black stripe, about 3–4 cm wide, going vertically down the midline of its back. Its dorsal fur is short, about 10 mm long. Its ventral fur is dark gray, but still distinctly lighter than the sides and dorsum. Its tail is furred for the first (approximately) 18% of its length, going from the base to the tip. Its species name "andersoni" was chosen to honor American scientific collector Malcolm Playfair Anderson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brazilian gracile opossum</span> Species of marsupial

The Brazilian gracile opossum is a species of small opossum from Brazil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derby's woolly opossum</span> Species of marsupial

Derby's woolly opossum, or the Central American woolly opossum, is an opossum found in deciduous and moist evergreen forests of Central America, from southern Mexico to western Ecuador and Colombia. It was first described by English naturalist George Robert Waterhouse, and named in honor of Edward Smith-Stanley, 13th Earl of Derby. Derby's woolly opossum is the largest in its genus, with a total length of 60 to 70 centimetres and weight between 200 and 400 grams. The coat is brown and the underside white-buff to golden-brown. The opossum is nocturnal, arboreal (tree-living) and solitary. Diet consists of fruits, nectar, small invertebrates and vertebrates. The time when breeding takes place varies geographically. The litter size ranges from one to six. The IUCN classifies this opossum as least concern.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heavy-browed mouse opossum</span> Species of marsupial

The heavy-browed mouse opossum, or Anderson's mouse opossum, is a species of opossum in the family Didelphidae. It is endemic to a restricted range in southern Peru. This opossum inhabits forests; it is nocturnal and probably arboreal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elegant fat-tailed mouse opossum</span> Species of marsupial

The elegant fat-tailed mouse opossum, also known as the Chilean mouse opossum, is an opossum from central Chile. The type species of Thylamys, it was first described by English naturalist George Robert Waterhouse in 1839. This medium-sized opossum is characterized by black rings around the eyes, white limbs, gray to light brown coat, lighter flanks and underbelly and a thick 12.7–14.6 centimetres (5.0–5.7 in) long tail covered with hairs. It is crepuscular and lives in nests in tree hollows or under rocks and roots. This opossum feeds mainly on arthropods and larvae apart from fruits. Litter size is typically between 11 and 13. The elegant fat-tailed opossum can occur in a variety of habitats – from cloud forests to chaparrals. The IUCN classifies the opossum as least concern.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paraguayan fat-tailed mouse opossum</span> Species of marsupial

The Paraguayan fat-tailed mouse opossum is a species of opossum in the family Didelphidae. It is found in forested areas of Brazil and Paraguay. It is known only from a few specimens. For two listed specimens, one had a head-and-body length of about 135 mm and a tail length of about 140 mm, while the other had a head-and-body length of about 120 mm and a tail length of about 155 mm. Most of its fur is gray, but the shoulder areas are reddish gray, and the ventral fur is pure white or creamy white. There is also a ring of black fur surrounding each eye. The ventral surface of the tail is white. The dorsal surface of the tail is gray for the first one third to one half of its length ; the remainder of the dorsal surface of the tail is white. The tail is hairless except for about its first ten mm. Although the genus Thylamys is characterized by fat storage in the tail, there is no evidence that this species stores fat in its tail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-bellied fat-tailed mouse opossum</span> Species of marsupial

The white-bellied fat-tailed mouse opossum is a species of opossum in the family Didelphidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caluromyinae</span> Subfamily of marsupials

Caluromyinae is a subfamily of opossums. It includes the extant genera Caluromys and Caluromysiops, as well as the extinct Pachybiotherium. Until recently, the genus Glironia was also included. It has sometimes been classed as a full family, Caluromyidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buff-bellied fat-tailed mouse opossum</span> Species of marsupial

The buff-bellied fat-tailed mouse opossum is a species of opossum in the family Didelphidae. It is found in the transitional and humid forests of northern Argentina and southern Bolivia. Its dorsal fur is cinnamon brown. Most of its ventral fur is gray-based, but its chest, throat, and the thoracic midline are not gray-based. The postorbital ridges are absent in the young and weakly developed in adults.

References

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  2. Gardner, A.L. (2005). "Order Didelphimorphia". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 4. ISBN   978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC   62265494.
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  6. 1 2 Eisenberg, J.F.; Redford, K.H. (1999). The Central Neotropics: Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil. Chicago, US: University of Chicago Press. p. 83. ISBN   978-0-226-19542-1.
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