Petauroides armillatus (Thomas, 1923)

Russell A. Mittermeier & Don E. Wilson, 2015, Pseudocheiridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 5 Monotremes and Marsupials, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 498-530 : 521

2.

Central Greater Glider

Petauroides armillatus

French: Possum de Lumholtz / German: Mittlerer Grof 3flugbeutler / Spanish: Falangero planeador grande central

Taxonomy. Petauroides volans armillatus Thomas, 1923 ,

“ Coomooboolaroo , 80 miles S.W. Rockhampton,” Queensland, Australia.

Until recently, this species was considered a synonym of P. wolans and, more specifically, of its northern subspecies minor. Monotypic.

Distribution. NE Australia in mid-Queensland, from just N of Townsville, S to the Eungella Range and the vicinity of Roma.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 30-42 cm,tail 40-53 cm; weight 0-75-12 kg. The Central Greater Glider is intermediate in size between the Northern Greater Glider (P. minor) and the Southern Greater Glider ( P. volans ). It differs from the Northern Greater Glider in having larger ears, pale post-auricular patch, distinctly darker gray-brown mid-dorsal zone on body that contrasts with pale gray flanks, darker crown but no dorsal head stripe, patch of pale gray fur patch that extends ¢.20% along undersurface of tail from its base, and dark fur on lower one-half of forelimbs and hindlimbs. Similar to other greater gliders, the Central Greater Glider has a gliding membrane that extends from its elbow to ankle on each side of the abdomen.

Habitat. Open forests dominated by Eucalyptus trees.

Food and Feeding. There is no specific information available for this species, but diets of the Central Greater Glider are presumably similar to those of the Northern Greater Glider and the Southern Greater Glider.

Breeding. There is no specific information available for this species, but breeding activities are presumably similar to those of the Northern Greater Glider and the Southern Greater Glider.

Activity patterns. There is no specific information available for this species, but activity patterns are presumably similar to those of the Northern Greater Gliders and the Southern Greater Glider.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no specific information available for this species, but movements, home range, and social organization are presumably similar to those of the Northern Greater Glider and the Southern Greater Glider.

Status and Conservation. The Central Greater Glider has not been assessed for The [UCN Red List. Given its recent recognition as a species, its conservation status is unknown.

Bibliography. Arbogast et al. (2011).

Figures

1. Lemuroid Ring-tailed Possum (Hemabelideus lemuroides), 2. Central Greater Glider (Petauroides armillatus), 3. Northern Greater Glider (Petauroides minor), 4. Southern Greater Glider (Petawroides volans), 5. Lowland Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudochirulus canescens), 6. Weyland Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudochirulus carols), 7. Daintree River Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudochirulus cinereus), 8. Painted Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudochirulus forbesi), 9. Herbert River Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudochirulus herbertensis), 10. Masked Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudochirulus larvatus), 11. Pygmy Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudochirulus mayer), 12. Arfak Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudochirulus schlegeli)

Distribution. NE Australia in mid-Queensland, from just N of Townsville, S to the Eungella Range and the vicinity of Roma.