Gracilinanus

Gracilinanus microtarsus

Gracilinanus is a genus of the family of opossums ( Didelphidae ). It is native to northern and central South America.

General

These animals are mouse-like marsupials, but do not have a 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. These animals can reach a body length 7-14 cm and a tail length of 9-16 cm.

Habitat of these opossums are mainly forests, sometimes they also occur on plantations. There are nocturnal and solitary, mostly live in trees but sometimes also come to the floor. During the day they sleep in nests made ​​of leaves and twigs. They are omnivorous, taking mainly insects and other invertebrates, and fruits to him.

Since the females do not have bags, they drag the pups in the first months of their 11 to 15 teats hanging around with them. As with all possums the short gestation period ( approximately 14 days), litter size high ( around 6 ) and life expectancy is likely to be low.

The animals are not tracked directly from the people, but suffer the loss of habitat through deforestation.

System

Until recently, these animals were classified in the genus of dwarf opossums ( Marmosa ). Due to differences in the structure of the skull and teeth of the distinct genus Gracilinanus was built in 1989. Recently, the genera Hyladelphys and Cryptonanus were separated, these new genera are not yet widely recognized.

Today, eight types are distinguished:

  • Gracilinanus agilis is located in northern and central South America.
  • Gracilinanus microtarsus lives in southeastern Brazil.
  • Gracilinanus marica is found in Colombia and Venezuela.
  • Gracilinanus emiliae is located in northern Brazil.
  • Gracilinanus perijae lives in northern Colombia.
  • Gracilinanus aceramarcae is only known from two locations in Peru and Bolivia. The IUCN lists the species as critically endangered.
  • Gracilinanus dyas is native to Colombia and Venezuela.
  • Gracilinanus longicaudus is endemic in central Colombia.
Kalinowski's mouse opossum
275562
de