Phalanger lullulae, Thomas, 1896

Russell A. Mittermeier & Don E. Wilson, 2015, Phalangeridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 5 Monotremes and Marsupials, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 456-497 : 490-491

16.

Woodlark Cuscus

Phalanger lullulae

French: Phalanger de Woodlark / German: Woodlark-Kuskus / Spanish: Cuscus de Woodlark

Other common names: \ Woodlark Island Cuscus

Taxonomy. Phalanger lullulae Thomas, 1896 ,

“ Woodlark Island ” (= Murua Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea).

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Woodlark I, the adjacent Madeu I, and tiny, isolated Alcester I (where it may have been introduced), off the E coast of SE New Guinea.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 33-41 cm, tail 27.5-34.5 cm; weight 1.5-2 kg. The Woodlark Cuscus is a medium-sized cuscus, highly distinctive in its color pattern. Dorsalfuris variably blotched and irregularly mottled with brown, ginger, and white; ventral fur has dark irregular spots on white fur. Color is quite variable among individuals, from predominantly dark brown with pale spots to mainly ginger with a few paler and darker spots. Darkened dorsal stripe or streak is apparent on head and shoulders, and rhinarium is pink. Skull of the Woodlark Cuscus is similar in overall appearance to that of the Moluccan Cuscus ( P. ornatus ) but lacks prominent gap between upper incisor and canine.

Habitat. Primary and secondary forests. On Woodlark Island, the Woodlark Cuscusis more common in drier habitats of the eastern lowland than in the west where the forest is considerably denser.

Food and Feeding. Similar to other cuscuses, Woodlark Cuscuses likely eat mostly foliage and fruit. Local people say that favorite food of Woodlark Cuscuses is nectar from a vine and a tree Rhus taitensis (Anacardiaceae) that quickly grow up in old gardens.

Breeding. A female Woodlark Cuscus with two enlarged teats was observed in August, and another female caught the same day had one enlarged teat and a 440g young on her back. Other females caught in August had pouch young weighing 10-23 g, or were parous but had no young. These and other limited observations suggest that breeding of Woodlark Cuscuses occurs over an extended period.

Activity patterns. The Woodlark Cuscus is nocturnal. During the day, it rests under epiphytes or within tree hollows, emerging shortly after nightfall.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Little is known about social behavior of Woodlark Cuscuses. They are known to produce several vocalizations including barks, snarls, and a whining cry that has been compared with the sound of a human infant. These calls have been associated with foraging.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. The single major conservation threat to the Woodlark Cuscusis a planned oil palm development by a Malaysian biofuels company. If this occurs, it will result in the clearing of most of the native forests on the island. Local people hunt the Woodlark Cuscus for food, but it is not a preferred food item (pigs and fish are more important). They are hunted during the gardening season and when fishing conditions are poor. Despite hunting, Woodlark Cuscuses remain common, even around settlement areas. Other potential threats include human-mediated introductions of other cuscus species, such as the Eastern Common Cuscus ( P intercastellanus ) and the Northern Common Cuscus ( P. orientalis ), which occur or have been introduced on many other Melanesian islands and might interbreed with the Woodlark Cuscus.

Bibliography. Flannery (1994a, 1995b), Leary, Singadan, Menzies, Helgen, Wright, Allison & Hamilton (2008), Norris (1999).

Figures

11. Peleng Cuscus (Phalanger pelengensus), 12. Moluccan Cuscus (Phalanger ornatus), 13. Gebe Cuscus (Phalanger alexandrae), 14. Obi Cuscus (Phalanger rothschildi), 15. Ground Cuscus (Phalanger gymnotis), 16. Woodlark Cuscus (Phalanger lullulae), 17. Northern Common Cuscus (Phalanger orientalis), 18. Eastern Common Cuscus (Phalanger intercastellanus), 19. Southern Common Cuscus (Phalanger mimicus), 20. Telefomin Cuscus (Phalanger matanim), 21. Stein’s Cuscus (Phalanger vestitus), 22. Silky Cuscus (Phalanger sericeus), 23. Mountain Cuscus (Phalanger carmelitae), 24. Black Spotted Cuscus (Spilocuscus rufoniger), 25. Waigeo Spotted Cuscus (Spilocuscus papuensis), 26. Admiralty Spotted Cuscus (Spilocuscus kraemeri), 27. Blue-eyed Spotted Cuscus (Spilocuscus wilsoni), 28. Common Spotted Cuscus (Spilocuscus maculatus), 29. Australian Spotted Cuscus (Spilocuscus nudicaudatus)

Distribution. Woodlark I, the adjacent Madeu I, and tiny, isolated Alcester I (where it may have been introduced), off the E coast of SE New Guinea.