Western Ringtail Possum
Encyclopedia
The Western Ringtail Possum or Ngwayir is a possum found in Western Australia
, regarded as a subspecies (Pseudocheirus peregrinus occidentalis) of Common Ringtail Possum
, or as a separate species.
colouration. It has a long prehensile tail with a distinctive white tip.
The original description of the western population was as a separate species, Pseudocheirus occidentalis, though later authors classified it as a subspecies of Pseudocheirus peregrinus. Due to contradictory research, a recommendation to reinstate the species status—though a widely held view—has not been published.
where it is now reduced to patches of mainly eucalypt
forest
between Two Peoples Bay
and the Collie River
, with the most inland population at Perup
. The species favours coastal forest with Agonis flexuosa
, its range includes gardens in the cities of Busselton
and Albany
.
with a relatively small home range of 0.5-6 ha, dependent on habitat type. It uses tree hollow
s and builds dreys for shelter in tree canopies. They are primarily arboreal, but will often move through understorey or open ground to feed or gain shelter. Sheltering at ground level is recorded, though not usual, more frequently be found at hollows and the upper story of a forest; the species has occasionally be seen to occupy rabbit burrows.
, with the Peppermint tree Agonis flexuosa
forming the greatest part of their diet.
and Red Fox
predation. Current threats include ongoing habitat loss and predation by introduced species. Altered fire regimes have had significant impact on many groups, high intensity fires removes suitable refuge and large burns can clear of an area of food, causing starvation. It is classified by the IUCN as Vulnerable
.
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
, regarded as a subspecies (Pseudocheirus peregrinus occidentalis) of Common Ringtail Possum
Common Ringtail Possum
The common ringtail possum is an Australian marsupial. It lives in a variety of habitats and eats a variety of leaves of both native and introduced plants, as well as flowers and fruits. These dietary factors have, over time, aided burgeoning introduced populations in New Zealand...
, or as a separate species.
Description
The Western Ringtail has a head and body length of 320–400 mm, a tail length of 300–400 mm, and a weight of 820-1100 g (1300 g). It has dark grey brown fur with light patches behind the ears and creamy white, sometimes greyish, underparts. It differs from the Common Ringtail Possum by lacking any rufousRufous
Rufous is a colour that may be described as reddish-brown or brownish-red, as of rust or oxidised iron.The first recorded use of rufous as a colour name in English was in the year 1782....
colouration. It has a long prehensile tail with a distinctive white tip.
The original description of the western population was as a separate species, Pseudocheirus occidentalis, though later authors classified it as a subspecies of Pseudocheirus peregrinus. Due to contradictory research, a recommendation to reinstate the species status—though a widely held view—has not been published.
Distribution and habitat
The Western Ringtail is confined to south-western Western AustraliaWestern Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
where it is now reduced to patches of mainly eucalypt
Eucalypt
Eucalypts are woody plants belonging to three closely related genera:Eucalyptus, Corymbia and Angophora.In 1995 new evidence, largely genetic, indicated that some prominent Eucalyptus species were actually more closely related to Angophora than to the other eucalypts; they were split off into the...
forest
Forest
A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
between Two Peoples Bay
Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve
Two Peoples Bay is a protected area east of Albany. The area is accessible by 2WD vehicles. The bay itself, including two small secluded beaches, faces due east and is protected from the Southern Ocean by a headland formed by the granite massif of Mount Gardiner...
and the Collie River
Collie River
The Collie River is a river in the South West region of Western Australia.The river was named after Dr Alexander Collie who, along with Lt. William Preston, was the first European explorer to find the river in 1829....
, with the most inland population at Perup
Shire of Manjimup
The Shire of Manjimup is a Local Government Area in the South West region of Western Australia, about south of the state capital, Perth. The Shire covers an area of , and its seat of government is the town of Manjimup. It has an estimated population of 10,159 .-History:The Shire area was first...
. The species favours coastal forest with Agonis flexuosa
Agonis flexuosa
Agonis flexuosa is a species of tree that grows in the south west of Western Australia. It is easily the most common of the Agonis species, and is one of the most recognisable trees of Western Australia, being commonly grown in parks and on road verges in Perth.The species is commonly known as...
, its range includes gardens in the cities of Busselton
Busselton, Western Australia
-Growth and development:According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics the Shire had a permanent resident population of 25,950 in 2004 with the town of Busselton accounting for 67% or 17,400 of the total. The Shire's permanent population is expected to continue to increase significantly to...
and Albany
Albany, Western Australia
Albany is a port city in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, some 418 km SE of Perth, the state capital. As of 2009, Albany's population was estimated at 33,600, making it the 6th-largest city in the state....
.
Behaviour
The Western Ringtail is an arboreal and nocturnal herbivoreHerbivore
Herbivores are organisms that are anatomically and physiologically adapted to eat plant-based foods. Herbivory is a form of consumption in which an organism principally eats autotrophs such as plants, algae and photosynthesizing bacteria. More generally, organisms that feed on autotrophs in...
with a relatively small home range of 0.5-6 ha, dependent on habitat type. It uses tree hollow
Tree hollow
A tree hollow or tree hole is a semi-enclosed cavity which has naturally formed in the trunk or branch of a tree. These are predominantly found in old trees, whether living or not...
s and builds dreys for shelter in tree canopies. They are primarily arboreal, but will often move through understorey or open ground to feed or gain shelter. Sheltering at ground level is recorded, though not usual, more frequently be found at hollows and the upper story of a forest; the species has occasionally be seen to occupy rabbit burrows.
Diet
Its diet includes leaves, fruit, flowers, bark and sap of myrtaceous plants. Favoured food trees are Jarrah, Eucalyptus marginata, and Marri, Corymbia calophyllaCorymbia calophylla
Corymbia calophylla is a bloodwood native to Western Australia. Common names include Marri and Port Gregory Gum, and a long standing usage has been Red Gum due to the red gum effusions often found on trunks.It is distinctive among bloodwoods for its very large buds and fruit Corymbia calophylla...
, with the Peppermint tree Agonis flexuosa
Agonis flexuosa
Agonis flexuosa is a species of tree that grows in the south west of Western Australia. It is easily the most common of the Agonis species, and is one of the most recognisable trees of Western Australia, being commonly grown in parks and on road verges in Perth.The species is commonly known as...
forming the greatest part of their diet.
Breeding
Births occur mainly in winter, usually of only one young. The young emerge from the pouch at about three months of age, when they weigh about 125 g, and suckle until they are 6–7 months old, weighing about 550 g.Conservation
The Western Ringtail has declined in abundance and range because of habitat destructionHabitat destruction
Habitat destruction is the process in which natural habitat is rendered functionally unable to support the species present. In this process, the organisms that previously used the site are displaced or destroyed, reducing biodiversity. Habitat destruction by human activity mainly for the purpose of...
and Red Fox
Red Fox
The red fox is the largest of the true foxes, as well as being the most geographically spread member of the Carnivora, being distributed across the entire northern hemisphere from the Arctic Circle to North Africa, Central America, and the steppes of Asia...
predation. Current threats include ongoing habitat loss and predation by introduced species. Altered fire regimes have had significant impact on many groups, high intensity fires removes suitable refuge and large burns can clear of an area of food, causing starvation. It is classified by the IUCN as Vulnerable
Vulnerable species
On 30 January 2010, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 9694 Vulnerable species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and sub-populations.-References:...
.