An improved diagnosis for Dactylopsila megalura (Marsupialia: Petauridae) of New Guinea.

Abstract

We examined all the known specimens of Dactylopsila megalura and compared the skulls and skins with those of Dactylopsila trivirgata and Dactylopsila palpator. We selected a suite of skull characters that appear to be diagnostic for D. megalura and constructed a new diagnosis for the species enabling isolated skulls to be identified with some degree of certainty. Notes on the pelage of the three species, which is often used in traditional decoration, are added.