Monodelphis peruviana (Osgood, 1913)

Astúa, D., 2015, Didelphidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 5 Monotremes and Marsupials, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 129-186 : 148

31.

Peruvian Short-tailed Opossum

Monodelphis peruviana

French: Opossum du Pérou / German: Peru-Spitzmausbeutelratte / Spanish: Colicorto de Peru

Taxonomy. Peramys peruvianus Osgood, 1913 ,

“ Moyobamba,” San Martin, Peru.

This species was formerly considered a subspecies of M. adusta , but it is now considered a separate species. Monotypic.

Distribution. E Andes in C & S Peru and W Bolivia.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 9:6 cm (males and females), tail 5-6 cm (males) and 5-8 cm (females); weight 24-30 g. Dorsal fur of the Peruvian Short-tailed Opossum is uniformly chocolate brown, with no darkening on rump. Ventral fur is pale buff from throat to abdominal region, and chin is brownish-drab. Tail lacks fur. Its body fur is 4-5 mm and dense. Feet, arms, and legs are slightly darker than body. Females probably lack a pouch, but number of mammae has not been reported. Karyotype of the Peruvian Short-tailed Opossum is unknown.

Habitat. There is no information available for this species.

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

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. The Peruvian Short-tailed Opossum has not been assessed as a distinct species on The IUCN Red List. Conservation status of all opossumsis being reassessed by the IUCN New World Marsupial Specialists Group.

Bibliography. Osgood (1913), Pine & Handley (2007), Solari (2004, 2007).

Figures

65. Pygmy Opossum (Chacodelphys formosa), 66. Agricola’s Opossum (Cryptonanus agricola), 67. Chacoan Mouse Opossum (Cryptonanus chacoensis), 68. Guaiba Mouse Opossum (Cryptonanus guahybae), 69. Unduavi Mouse Opossum (Cryptonanus unduaviensis), 70. . Emilie’s. 9 Opossum.. Gracilinanus. (null), 71. Aceramarca Opossum (Gracilinanus aceramarcae), 72. Agile Opossum (Gracilinanus agilis), 73. Wood Sprite Opossum (Gracilinanus dryas), 74. Northern Gracile Opossum (Gracilinanus marica), 75. Brazilian Gracile Opossum (Gracilinanus microtarsus)

Distribution. E Andes in C & S Peru and W Bolivia.