Cryptonanus

Cryptonanus is a genus newly described in 2005 from the family of opossums ( Didelphidae ). It is resident in central and southern South America ( Argentina and from Central Brazil and Bolivia).

Description

These animals are mouse-like marsupials that have no bag. Their fur is gray or brown on the top, the underside is lighter, often whitish. Like all smaller opossums They have large eyes, a pointed snout and large ears.

Habitat

These animals are likely to be bottom dwellers than other small opossums and live in grasslands to a greater extent, much is known about their way of life, however, not known.

System

The genus was first described in 2005 by Robert Voss, Darrin P. Lunde and Sharon Jansa. They look similar to the opossums of the genus Gracilinanus, but differ in details of construction and skull teeth. The separation is not yet widely recognized.

Voss distinguishes five types, but may only represent geographical variants of a single species:

• Cryptonanus agricolai (eastern Brazil)
• Cryptonanus chacoensis (Bolivia, Paraguay, northern Argentina)
• Cryptonanus guahybae ( Southeastern Brazil)
• Cryptonanus ignitus (Northern Argentina)
• Cryptonanus unduaviensis ( eastern Bolivia )