Peleng couscous
| Peleng couscous | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Phalanger pelengensis | ||||||||||||
| Tate , 1945 |
The peleng cuscus ( Phalanger pelengensis , syn .: Strigocuscus pelengensis ) is a marsupial from the climbing bag family (Phalangeridae) that occurs on some Indonesian islands. The nominate form Phalanger pelengensis pelengensis lives on the island of Peleng off the east coast of Sulawesi and Phalanger pelengensis pelengensis , the second subspecies, occurs on the Sula Islands , the westernmost part of the Moluccas. It is not yet known whether the species also lives on the smaller islands between Peleng and the Sula Islands.
features
The Peleng-Kuskus reaches a head body length of 35 to 37 cm, has a 25 to 30 cm long prehensile tail and reaches a weight of 1.1 to 1.2 kg. It is relatively small and resembles the Sulawesi cuscus ( Strigocuscus celebensis ) in shape . In contrast to this, it is not gray-brown, but has a yellow-brown to orange-brown back and a yellowish belly. In contrast to the Obi-Kuskus ( Phalanger rothschildi ), to which the Peleng-Kuskus resembles both in terms of color and shape, the Peleng-Kuskus does not have a dark stripe on the back.
Habitat and way of life
The peleng couscous is adaptable and occurs in primary and secondary forests as well as in gardens where it targets fruit trees. He is nocturnal and spends the day sleeping in trees. The animals feed mainly on fruits and leaves. The females give birth to a single cub, which can be born all year round. As a result, there is no pronounced reproductive time.
Systematics
The Peleng cuscus was scientifically described for the first time in 1945 by the American zoologist George Henry Hamilton Tate as a subspecies of the Sulawesi cuscus. Due to its similarity with this, the Peleng cuscus is still classified by some authors in the genus Strigocuscus . However, molecular biological studies show that it is more closely related to the species of the genus Phalanger . Together with the Moluccan cuscus ( Phalanger ornatus ) and the Gebe cuscus ( Phalanger alexandrae ), the peleng cuscus forms a super-species , the Phalanger ornatus complex.
Danger
The IUCN estimates the existence of the Peleng Cuscus as safe ( Least Concern ). Although the range is relatively small, the species is still relatively common.
supporting documents
- ↑ a b c d e 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. 489.
- ↑ a b Strigocuscus pelengensis in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2015 Posted by: Leary, T., Singadan, R. Menzies, J., slipway, K., Allison, A., James, R. Flannery, T., Aplin, K., Dickman, C. & Salas, L., 2016. Retrieved November 21, 2018.