Lemur-like ringtail possum
| Lemur-like ringtail possum[1] | |
|---|---|
 | |
| In Queensland, Australia | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Infraclass: | Marsupialia |
| Order: | Diprotodontia |
| Family: | Pseudocheiridae |
| Subfamily: | Hemibelideinae |
| Genus: | Hemibelideus Collett 1884 |
| Species: | H. lemuroides |
| Binomial name | |
| Hemibelideus lemuroides {Collett, 1884} | |
 | |
| Lemur-like ringtail possum range | |
The lemur-like ringtail possum (Hemibelideus lemuroides), also known as the lemuroid ringtail possum or the brushy-tailed ringtail, is one of the most singular members of the ringtail possum group. In fact, it is more closely related to the greater glider (Petauroides volans) than to other ringtail possums.
This possum is found in a small area between Ingham and Cairns in Queensland, Australia. It is also found in an isolated population on Carbine Tableland.[3]
It has a bushier tail when compared to other ringtails, and can be distinguished from the greater glider by its lack of gliding membrane and much shorter, hairless ears. It is a social possum, and is found in two main colour forms: the more common chocolate brown form, and a rare white form, which occurred in the Daintree Rainforest and was last seen in 2005.[3][4] However, in 2009, three brown lemuroid ringtail possums were observed in the Daintree National Park, on Cape York.[5]
References
- ↑ Groves, C. P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M, eds. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 50–51. OCLC 62265494. ISBN 0-801-88221-4.
- ↑ Burnett, S. & Winter, J. (2008). Hemibelideus lemuroides. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 28 December 2008. Database entry includes justification for why this species is listed as near threatened
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Menkhorst, Peter (2001). A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Oxford University Press. p. 98.
- ↑ Malkin, Bonnie (3 December 2008). "Australia's white possum could be first victim of climate change". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group). ISSN 0307-1235. OCLC 49632006. Archived from the original on 30 July 2011. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
- ↑ Schwarten, Evan (27 March 2009). "'Extinct' possum found in Daintree". Nine News. Archived from the original on 30 July 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2010.