- Pseudocheiridae
Taxobox
name = PseudocheiridaeMSW3 Groves|pages=50-53]
image_width = 266px
image_caption = "Pseudocheirus peregrinus",Common Ringtail Possum
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis =Mammal ia
infraclassis =Marsupialia
ordo =Diprotodontia
familia = Pseudocheiridae
familia_authority =Winge , 1893
subdivision_ranks = Subfamilies
subdivision =
*Hemibelideinae
*Pseudocheirinae
*Pseudochiropinae Pseudocheiridae is a family of
arboreal marsupial s containing 17 extant species of ringtailedpossum s and close relatives. They are found in forested areas and shrublands throughoutAustralia andNew Guinea .Characteristics
Physically, they appear very similar to the
pygmy possum s, except for their greater size. Even so, they are relatively small animals, with the largest being cat-sized, and they weigh between 200 grams and 2 kilograms. They have grasping hands and feet with opposable first toes on their hindfeet, and, in all species save theGreater Glider , aprehensile tail . They arenocturnal , with large eyes.cite book |editor=Macdonald, D.|author= Smith, Andrew|year=1984 |title= The Encyclopedia of Mammals|publisher= Facts on File|location=New York|pages= 856-861|isbn= 0-87196-871-1]All species feed almost entirely on leaves. To enable them to digest this tough and fibrous food, they have an enlarged
cecum containing fermenting bacteria, and, likerabbit s, they are coprophagous, passing food through their digestive tracts twice. Their teeth include a battery of grinding molars, and they lack lower canines. Their dental formula is:dentition|3.1.3.4|2.0.3.4Most are solitary animals, although a few live in small family groups, and they are generally shy and secretive, making them difficult to study. They travel across home ranges of up to 3
hectare s (7.5 acres).Gestation lasts up to 50 days, but varies depending on species.Classification
The 17 species of pseudocheirid possum are grouped into three subfamilies and six genera.
* Subfamily
Hemibelideinae
** Genus "Hemibelideus "
***Lemur-like Ringtail Possum , "Hemibelideus lemuroides"
** Genus "Petauroides "
***Greater Glider , "Petauroides volans"
* SubfamilyPseudocheirinae
** Genus "Petropseudes "
***Rock-haunting Ringtail Possum , "Petropseudes dahli"
** Genus "Pseudocheirus "
***Common Ringtail Possum , "Pseudocheirus peregrinus"
** Genus "Pseudochirulus "
***Lowland Ringtail Possum , "Pseudochirulus canescens"
***Weyland Ringtail Possum , "Pseudochirulus caroli"
***Cinereus Ringtail Possum , "Pseudochirulus cinereus"
***Painted Ringtail Possum , "Pseudochirulus forbesi"
***Herbert River Ringtail Possum , "Pseudochirulus herbertensis"
***Masked Ringtail Possum , "Pseudochirulus larvatus"
***Pygmy Ringtail Possum , "Pseudochirulus mayeri"
***Vogelkop Ringtail Possum , "Pseudochirulus schlegeli"
* SubfamilyPseudochiropinae
** Genus "Pseudochirops "
***D'Albertis' Ringtail Possum , "Pseudochirops albertisii"
***Green Ringtail Possum , "Pseudochirops archeri"
***Plush-coated Ringtail Possum , "Pseudochirops corinnae"
***Reclusive Ringtail Possum , "Pseudochirops coronatus"
***Coppery Ringtail Possum , "Pseudochirops cupreus"References
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