Alston's Woolly Dwarf Rat

Alston's Woolly Dwarf Rat
Systematics
Subclass :	Marsupials (Marsupialia)
Order :	Opossum-like (Didelphimorphia)
Family :	Opossum rats (Didelphidae)
Genre :	Dwarf pouch rats ( Marmosa )
Subgenus :	Woolly dwarf bag rats ( Micoureus )
Type :	Alston's Woolly Dwarf Rat
Scientific name
	Marmosa alstoni
	( JA Allen , 1900)

Distribution area of Alston's Woolly Dwarf Rat

Species of the subgenus Wooly dwarf bag rats, probably Marmosa alstoni .

Alston's Woolly dwarf opossum ( Marmosa alstoni ) is a mammal of the family of opossums (Didelphidae).

features

This dwarf rat has a head-trunk length of 169 to 200 mm, a tail length of 195 to 281 mm and a weight of 60 to 150 g. The hind feet are 27 to 33 mm long and the length of the ears is 25 to 32 mm. This makes Marmosa alstoni the largest species of the Micoureus subgenus . The long and woolly fur has a gray-brown color on the top, while the underside is covered by whitish fur, which can have an orange shade. Dense fur occurs on the first 25 to 50 millimeters of the tail. This is followed by a bare area with a dark brown middle part and a white tip. The light section is as long as the dark section or shorter, depending on the specimen. Spotted tail tips were also recorded. A dark ring under the eyes is also characteristic.

Distribution and way of life

The species occurs in Central America from Belize and Guatemala to Panama as well as on smaller offshore Caribbean islands. Another population lives in northern Colombia . In the northern part of the range, Marmosa alstoni is rather rare. Alston's woolly dwarf bag rat reaches an altitude of 1,600 meters in the mountains. Evergreen forests, other areas with higher vegetation and gardens serve as habitats .

The individuals predominantly climb trees and occasionally visit the ground to change trees or to look for food. Alston's woolly pygmy pouch rat eats insects, other invertebrates and various fruits. She builds a nest of leaves that is hidden on palm trees or between climbing plants. Adult animals mostly live alone or in smaller groups. They occasionally visit buildings on the edge of the forest. A female found suckled a litter with 11 young animals.

status

There are no significant dangers for the species. It is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN .

supporting documents

↑ Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Ed.): Mammal Species of the World . A taxonomic and geographic Reference . 3. Edition. 2 volumes. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 (English, Micoureus alstoni ).
↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d Marmosa alstoni in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2016 Posted by: Martin, GM, 2016. Accessed April 22, 2017th
^ ^A ^b Reid, Fiona (Ed.): A Field Guide to the Mammals of Central America . Oxford University Press, 2009, pp. 47-48 (English, Micoureus alstoni ).

[Wilson-1] Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Ed.): Mammal Species of the World . A taxonomic and geographic Reference . 3. Edition. 2 volumes. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 (English, Micoureus alstoni ).

[IUCN-2] Marmosa alstoni in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2016 Posted by: Martin, GM, 2016. Accessed April 22, 2017th

[Reid-3] A ^b Reid, Fiona (Ed.): A Field Guide to the Mammals of Central America . Oxford University Press, 2009, pp. 47-48 (English, Micoureus alstoni ).