Pseudochirulus herbertensis (Collett, 1884)

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 : 524

9.

Herbert River Ring-tailed Possum

Pseudochirulus herbertensis

French: Possum du Herbert / German: Herbert-RiverRingbeutler / Spanish: Falangero de cola anillada del rio Herbert

Other common names: Herbert River Ringtail, Herbert River Ringtail Possum

Taxonomy. Phalangista herbertensis Collett, 1884 ,

“ Herbert Vale , Northern Queensland,” Australia .

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. NE Autralia, N Queensland, from Kuranda S to Ingham.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 30-40 cm, tail 34-47 cm; weight 0-75.1-5 kg. The Herbert River Ring-tailed Possum has distinctive dark brown-blackish fur above and pure white fur below, which is unlike any other species of pseudocheirid.

Habitat. Intact upland rainforest above 350 m in elevation, with highest densities above 800 m on basalt soils. Herbert River Ring-tailed Possums have also been seen in tall, wet sclerophyll forests adjacent to rainforest and in corridors that are linked to forest tracts or fragments. They favor high-diversity forest (primary forest or mixed regrowth) over low-diversity ( Acacia , Fabaceae ) regrowth.

Food and Feeding. The diet of the Herbert River Ring-tailed Possum consists mostly of tree leaves, including pink ash ( Alphitonia whitei, Rhamnaceae ); brown quandong ( Elaeocarpus ruminatus, Elaeocarpaceae ); several Myrtaceae such as eungella satinash (Acmena resa), bumpy satinash ( Syzygium cormiflorum), paper satinash (S. papyraceum), and small-leaved lilli (S. leuhmannaii); crater aspen ( Acronychia crassipetala, Rutaceae ); white basswood ( Polyscias murrayi, Araliaceae ); boxwood ( Pouteria brownlessiana, Sapotaceae ); and brown tamarind ( Castanospora alphandii, Sapindaceae ). They also feed on leaves of millaa vine ( Elaeagnus triflora, Elacagnaceae), cadaghi ( Eucalyptus torelliana), and pink bloodwood ( Corymbia intermedia), both Myrtaceae ; fruits of vines Melodinus bacellianus ( Apocynaceae ) and silver quandong ( Elaeocarpus angustifolius, Elaeocarpaceae ); and flowers of bumpy satin ash ( Syzygium cormiflorum, Myrtaceae ).

Breeding. Breeding of the Herbert River Ring-tailed Possum occurs in April-December, with a peak in May-July. Females have two teats in the pouch and usually give birth to 1-2 young/year; mean littersize is 1-5—1-8 young. Fur develops at c.90 days of age, and permanent pouch emergence occurs at 115-120 days. Weaning is at c.150-160 days. Young reach sexual maturity by one year of age and are able to breed at c.16 months. Fur of young is distinct from that of adults, being a pale fawn color and changing to adult color at sexual maturity. Young commence foraging independently of their mother within two weeks of leaving the pouch, although they continue to share the maternal den and may continue to ride on their mother’s back in the vicinity of the den for c.35 days after leaving the pouch.

Activity patterns. Herbert River Ring-tailed Possums are nocturnal and usually spend the day in a tree hollow or under an epiphyte, but they may also build dreys (nests) if nesting sites are unavailable. About one-half of all feeding records are less than 11 m from the ground and about one-quarter of records are 16-20 m above the ground. Herbert River Ring-tailed Possums make small leaps from one branch or trunk to another and will come to the ground.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Herbert River Ring-tailed Possum is typically seen alone. Individuals use home ranges of 0-52-3-3 ha, depending on available resources. Average density has been estimated to be 0-55 ind/ha, with a maximum abundance of 1-6 ind/ha. Predators of the Herbert River Ring-tailed Possum include rufous owls (Ninox rufa), lesser sooty-owls (1yto multipunctata), amethystine pythons ( Morelia amethistina ), and carpet pythons ( Morelia spilota ).

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. About 23% of rainforest habitat of the Herbert River Ring-tailed Possum has been cleared, which has isolated the Herberton and Hugh Nelson ranges population. Most of the distribution of the Herbert River Ring-tailed Possums occurs within protected areas. Conservation actions that may be undertaken include: connecting the now-isolated Herberton and Hugh Nelson ranges population with the main population by reforestation; maintaining and even enhancing continuity of habitat in the Mulgrave and North Johnstone catchments; reclaiming rural landscape of the Atherton and Evelyn tablelands as suitable habitat through reforestation on private land to establish a network of rainforest corridors and patches; determining possible genetic demes within the presently continuous population of the main Atherton Unit population that may have resulted from population fragmentation as a result of climatic changes since the height of the last glacial period ¢.18,000 years ago; and continuing studies on socioecology, habitat requirements, and effects of disturbance on the Herbert River Ringtailed Possum.

Bibliography. Burnett & Winter (2008c), Goudberg (1990), Haffenden (1984), Kanowski et al. (2001), Laurance, S.G. & Laurance (1999), Laurance, W.F. (1990a, 1990b), Speare et al. (1984), Wilson et al. (2008), Winter & Atherton (1984), Winter & Moore (2008).

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 Autralia, N Queensland, from Kuranda S to Ingham.