Because this species is small and nocturnal, communication between individuals is likely primarily olfactory in nature. Palma (1997) reports that the olfactory and visual regions of another Thylamys species' brain are especially well developed.
Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; vibrations ; chemical
This species is listed by the IUCN as "Least Concern".
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
There are no known negative impacts of Thylamys sponsorius.
There are no known positive impacts of Thylamys sponsorius on humans.
Thylamys sponsorius likely acts as an important predator to many arthropod species and perhaps some small vertebrates. It is likely prey to both bird and medium-sized mammals, such as owls and foxes. It is also likely host to many ecto- and endoparasites. More specific information about the ecosystem role of Thylamys sponsorius is not presently available.
Little is known about the food habits of this species. Like other Thylamys species, Thylamys sponsorius likely consumes insects and perhaps occasionally eats small vertebrates, leaves, fruit, seeds, and carrion (Palma 1997).
Primary Diet: carnivore (Insectivore )
Thylamys sponsorius is distributed in the eastern foothills of the Andes, extending from southern Bolivia into northern Argentina.
Biogeographic Regions: neotropical (Native )
Thylamys sponsorius primarily inhabits mid-level montane forests and seasonally dry forests between 515 and 3750 meters above sea level in the eastern Andes. This species overlaps in distribution with Thylamys venustus and Thylamys pallidior.
Range elevation: 515 to 3750 m.
Habitat Regions: tropical
Terrestrial Biomes: forest ; mountains
No records of this species' lifespan are available.
Like other members of its genus, Thylamys sponsorius is notable for its incrassate (fattened) tail. The size of the tail varies by season in accordance with food availability. Although this species is a marsupial, females do not have a pouch. This species is tricolored, with darker dorsal fur, paler lateral fur, and a grayish ventral region. This species is very similar in morphology to its sister species Thylamys venustus, though it tends to be slightly larger. Like Thylamys venustus, this species has a relatively long tail that is considerably longer than its body. Giarla et al. (2010) report head + body lengths that range from 86 to 119 mm (average 99 mm) and tail lengths that range from 125 to 154 mm long (average 138 mm).
Range length: 211 to 273 mm.
Average length: 237 mm.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Like other small mammals, Thylamys sponsorius is likely well adapted to avoiding predators by being nocturnal and inconspicuous. No records of known predators are available.
Anti-predator Adaptations: cryptic
Little is known about the mating system in Thylamys sponsorius.
Little is known about the general reproductive behavior of Thylamys sponsorius.
Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; viviparous
Little is known about parental investment in Thylamys sponsorius. Like all marsupials, females nurse their highly altricial young. However, because members of the genus Thylamys lack a pouch (marsupium), the young must cling to their mother's venter.
Parental Investment: altricial ; female parental care ; pre-fertilization (Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female)
