Occurrence of the ground cuscus Phalanger gymnotis (Phalangeridae: Marsupialia) in the Trans-Fly region, Papua New Guinea
Steven G. Hamilton A B and Harry Parnaby
C *
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of NSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
B P.O. Box 22 Dodges Ferry, Tas. 7173, Australia.
C Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia.
Australian Mammalogy 44(3) 397-403 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM21009
Submitted: 5 March 2021 Accepted: 9 November 2021 Published: 2 May 2022
© 2022 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of the Australian Mammal Society.
Abstract
A specimen of the ground cuscus (Phalanger gymnotis) collected in 2006 remains the only record from the Trans-Fly region of southern Papua New Guinea. It extended the known range by some 250 km southwest of the nearest records (Mt Sisa in the Central Cordillera and Kikori Basin, Gulf Province), into a habitat previously considered unsuitable for the species. We were unable to assign the specimen to either of the two subspecies, P. g. gymnotis from mainland New Guinea or P. g. leucippus from Aru Islands. The 2006 record is detailed here and its biogeographic implications are discussed.
Keywords: distribution, habitat use, mammal taxonomy, marsupial, range extension, translocation, zoogeography.
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