Phalanger gymnotis

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	DIPROTODONTIA	PHALANGERIDAE

Scientific Name:

Phalanger gymnotis

Species Authority:

Peters & Doria, 1875

Common Name/s:

English

–

Ground Cuscus

Synonym/s:

Strigocuscus gymnotis (Peters & Doria 1875)

Taxonomic Notes:

The taxonomy of this species requires careful review; more than one species (perhaps a highland and lowland species) may be represented here (Helgen 2007).

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Least Concern ver 3.1

Year Published:

2008

Assessor/s:

Leary, T., Singadan, R., Menzies, J., Helgen, K., Wright, D., Allison, A., Salas, L. & Dickman, C.

Reviewer/s:

Lamoreux, J. & Hilton-Taylor, C. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)

Justification:
Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, large population, tolerance of a variety of habitats (including degraded habitats), and because it is unlikely to be declining at nearly the rate required to qualify for listing in a threatened category. Although it is affected by hunting, this is not considered to be severe enough to warrant placing the species in a threatened or Near Threatened category. It has been extirpated from some areas because of extensive hunting.

History:

1996	–	Data Deficient
1996	–	Data Deficient

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is widespread on the island of New Guinea (Indonesia and Papua New Guinea), the Aru Islands, and the islands of Yapen, Misool, Salawati (all Indonesia). It has been thought to be absent from the southern lowlands of New Guinea, although it has recently been found at Serki, Papua New Guinea (S. Hamilton pers. comm.). It ranges in elevation from sea level to 2,700 m asl.
Countries:	Native: Indonesia; Papua New Guinea
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	This species is abundant in suitable habitat.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It occurs in primary and secondary tropical moist forests, as well as cultivated gardens. This species is unusual in that it spends much of its time on the ground, even having dens on the ground. It is an omnivorous species. Females give birth to a single young.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	This species is threatened by feral dog predation and by humans hunting with dogs. It is the most commonly-hunted cuscus species. It is hunted for meat, medicinal purposes, and for the pet trade. It has been extirpated from some areas because of extensive hunting.

Major Threat(s):

This species is threatened by feral dog predation and by humans hunting with dogs. It is the most commonly-hunted cuscus species. It is hunted for meat, medicinal purposes, and for the pet trade. It has been extirpated from some areas because of extensive hunting.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	It occurs in a number of protected areas.

Conservation Actions:

It occurs in a number of protected areas.

Citation:	Leary, T., Singadan, R., Menzies, J., Helgen, K., Wright, D., Allison, A., Salas, L. & Dickman, C. 2008. Phalanger gymnotis. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 24 May 2012.
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