Blue-eye spotted cuscus

Blue-eye spotted cuscus
Systematics
Subclass : Marsupials (Marsupialia) Superordinate : Australidelphia Order : Diprotodontia Family : Climbing Burs (Phalangeridae) Genre : Spotted cuscus ( Spilocuscus ) Type : Blue-eye spotted cuscus
Scientific name
Spilocuscus wilsoni
Helgen & Flannery , 2004

The blue-eyed spotted cuscus ( Spilocuscus wilsoni ) is a marsupial from the climbing family (Phalangeridae), which is endemic to the islands of Biak , Supiori and Numfor northwest of New Guinea in the Cenderawasih Bay .

features

The blue-eye spotted cusus reaches a head body length of 33.5 to 48 cm, has a 28.5 to 33 cm long prehensile tail and weighs 1.2 to 2.1 kg. The fur is pure white or white with orange-reddish spots. The completely white animals seem to be mostly males. In the population of the actual spotted cuscus ( Spilocuscus maculatus ) occurring in the northwest of New Guinea , on the other hand, the females are more monochrome whitish or orange and the males are more whitish and spotted. The blue-eyed spotted cuscus is the only spotted cuscus that has blue or blue-green eyes. Everyone else has reddish brown or brown eyes. The premolars and molars of the blue-eye spotted cusus are relatively large. The rows of teeth are relatively long in relation to the length of the skull. The distance between the outer edges of the zygomatic arches is particularly large.

Apart from the different eye color, the white morph of the blue-eye spotted cusus can hardly be distinguished from the white morph of the actual spotted cuscus. The specimen is in the Genoa Natural History Museum

Habitat and way of life

The blue-eye spotted cuscus is found in primary and secondary forests. Little is known about his way of life. It is said to be active both day and night and feeds mainly on fruits (approx. 75%). In addition, leaves, flowers and sprouts are consumed. The females give birth to a single cub.

Danger

The IUCN estimates the existence of the blue-eye spotted cuscus as critically endangered . In the last ten years the population has decreased by more than 80%. The main reason is the clear cutting of the forests on the double island of Biak-Supiori.

supporting documents

1. ↑ ^{a b c d} Kristofer Helgen & Stephen Jackson: Family Phalangeridae (Cuscuses, Brush-tailed Possums and Scaly-tailed Possum). In: Don E. Wilson , Russell A. Mittermeier : Handbook of the Mammals of the World - Volume 5. Monotremes and Marsupials. Lynx Editions, 2015, ISBN 978-84-96553-99-6 , p. 496.