Observations of probable camouflaging behaviour in a semi-commensal common spotted cuscus Spilocuscus maculatus maculatus (Marsupialia: Phalangeridae) in New Ireland, Papua New Guinea.

Abstract

THE common spotted cuscus Spilocuscus maculatus is a relatively large nocturnal arboreal possum with a preference for tropical lowland forests. Its distribution is centred on New Guinea, but extends to some adjacent landmasses, including a number of satellite islands and Cape York Peninsula in Australia (Flannery 1994; Winter and Leung 1995; Heinsohn 2000). It appears to be principally folivorous and partially frugivorous and forages in the canopy, subcanopy, and understorey of tropical forests, though it may venture to the ground to cross gaps. After a night of foraging, S. maculatus typically rests by day hidden amidst the thick foliage of the canopy, in liana tangles or thickets, and appears to be less dependent on, or less inclined to use tree hollows than some other possum species (Heinsohn 1998b, pers. obs.).