Phalanger alexandrae, Flannery & Boeadi, 1995

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 : 489

13.

Gebe Cuscus

Phalanger alexandrae

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

Other common names: Alexandra's Cuscus

Taxonomy. Phalanger alexandrae Flannery & Boeadi, 1995 ,

“... near the airport (0°05’S 129°25’E) on Gebe Island , North Moluccas,” Indonesia.

This species is included within the Phalanger ornatus complex that also includes P. ornatus and P. rothschildi . More detailed studies may show that it is better recognized as a subspecies of P. ornatus . Monotypic.

Distribution. Endemic to Gebe I, in the North Moluccas, Indonesia. A cuscus photographed on Uranie I (W of Gebe I and N of Waigeo I) by K. D. Bishop most closely resembles the Gebe Cuscus and suggests it may be more widespread on islands between Halmahera and Waigeo Is.

Descriptive notes. Head—body c.45 cm,tail ¢.36 cm; weight 2-5 kg. The Gebe Cuscus has reddish-orange crown and shoulders, gray back with silver fur highlights, and tan to gray face and limbs, with dorsal stripe evident on head and less evident on shoulders and upper back, and greenish eyes. Skull is very similar to the Moluccan Cuscus ( P. ornatus ), with a prominent diastema between upper incisor and canine. The Gebe Cuscus differs from the Moluccan Cuscus and the Obi Cuscus ( P. rothschildi ) in being larger on average, having proportionally smaller teeth, and especially in color from the Obi Cuscus that usually lacks orange color on anterior body.

Habitat. Tall secondary growth and along primary forest edges from sea level to elevations of 300 m. Flora of Gebe Island is composed mainly of “maquis-like” (Mediterranean shrublands) vegetation, with tall forest growing on raised limestone areas and along drainages.

Food and Feeding. There is no specific information available for this species, but the diet of the Gebe Cuscus is presumably similar to the Moluccan Cuscus and the Obi Cuscus.

Breeding. There is no information available for this species.

Activity patterns. There is no information available for this species.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no information available for this species.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. The Gebe Cuscus is considered endemic to a small island with an extent of occurrence of c.150 km? and its distribution is considered a “single location” (although it may be found on other islands). The Gebe Cuscusis thought to be experiencing a continuing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat. It is threatened by hunting for food and habitat loss through conversion of forest for mining and agricultural use, although it apparently persists in traditional garden habitats.

Bibliography. Flannery (1995b), Flannery & Boeadi (1995), Leary, Singadan, Menzies, Helgen, Wright, Allison, Flannery, Salas & Dickman (2008a).

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. Endemic to Gebe I, in the North Moluccas, Indonesia. A cuscus photographed on Uranie I (W of Gebe I and N of Waigeo I) by K. D. Bishop most closely resembles the Gebe Cuscus and suggests it may be more widespread on islands between Halmahera and Waigeo Is.