Phalanger matanim, Flannery, 1987

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 : 492

20.

Telefomin Cuscus

Phalanger matanim

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

Other common names: Matanim Cuscus

Taxonomy. Phalanger matanim Flannery, 1987 ,

“ upper Sol River Valley , Telefomin area , West Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea, 5°06’S 141°42°E, 2,600 m.”

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Restricted to Telefomin area in C New Guinea.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 34.5-44 cm, tail 27.5-31.5 cm; weight 1.1-2 kg. The Telefomin Cuscus has a plump overall appearance, with long and plush gray dorsal fur, broad dorsal stripe, and white belly. Ears are short and thinly furred, and tail is short. Forelimbs and claws of hands are small compared with those of most other species of phalangerids, except the Scaly-tailed Possum ( Wyulda squamicaudata ). Teeth of the Telefomin Cuscus are relatively small compared with other montane New Guinean species of Phalanger .

Habitat. Mid-montane tropical moist oak forests in a narrow elevational band of 1500-2600 m. The Telefomin Cuscus occurs sympatrically with the Ground Cuscus (FP. gymnotis ), Stein’s Cuscus ( P. vestitus ), the Silky Cuscus ( P. sericeus ), and the Mountain Cuscus ( P. carmelitae ).

Food and Feeding. There is no information available for this species.

Breeding. Two young Telefomin Cuscuses were reported in February and March, and a female with an enlarged teat was observed in August.

Activity patterns. Anecdotal information suggests that the Telefomin Cuscus is nocturnal and often sleeps among stones but sometimes in trees.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Call of the Telefomin Cuscusis reported to be a soft sniffling sound. It does not appear to snarl, which is unlike other cuscuses. When spotlighted, the Telefomin Cuscus coversits eyes rather than flees.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Critically Endangered on The IUCN Red List. The only known area of occurrence of the Telefomin Cuscus was badly affected by fires during drought conditions in 1997-1998, associated with the El Nino Southern Oscillation event. Field studies are needed to confirm continued existence and status of the Telefomin Cuscus.

Bibliography. Flannery (1987 1995a), Leary, Seri, Flannery, Wright, Hamilton, Helgen, Singadan, Menzies, Allison, James, Salas & Dickman (2008).

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. Restricted to Telefomin area in C New Guinea.