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Historically, S. rufoniger was considered a subspecies of Spilocuscus maculates (common spotted cuscus). It has recently been reclassified as a unique species (Flannery, 1987).

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Bey, L. 2003. "Spilocuscus rufoniger" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Spilocuscus_rufoniger.html
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Lisa Bey, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
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Behavior

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Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical

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Bey, L. 2003. "Spilocuscus rufoniger" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Spilocuscus_rufoniger.html
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Lisa Bey, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
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Conservation Status

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Spilocuscus rufoniger is listed as endangered. Its limited range and colorful pelt have made it susceptible to overhunting. Habitat loss due to an expanding human population has caused the numbers of S. rufoniger to decline. Currently there are no national parks in New Guinea to help protect this species (Flannery, 1995; Nowak, 1999).

US Federal List: endangered

CITES: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: critically endangered

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Bey, L. 2003. "Spilocuscus rufoniger" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Spilocuscus_rufoniger.html
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Lisa Bey, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
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Life Cycle

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See reproduction.

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Bey, L. 2003. "Spilocuscus rufoniger" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Spilocuscus_rufoniger.html
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Lisa Bey, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
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Benefits

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There are no reports of negative effects on humans produced by these animals.

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Bey, L. 2003. "Spilocuscus rufoniger" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Spilocuscus_rufoniger.html
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Lisa Bey, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
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Benefits

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Because of its large size, S. rufoniger has long been valued by hunters for its coat and its meat. The native Papuans value the meat and use the beautiful dense fur for caps and capes (Nowak, 1999).

Positive Impacts: food

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Bey, L. 2003. "Spilocuscus rufoniger" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Spilocuscus_rufoniger.html
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Lisa Bey, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
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Associations

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Because the diet of these animals is largely unknown, it is difficult to speculate on the role they play within their ecosystem.

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Bey, L. 2003. "Spilocuscus rufoniger" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Spilocuscus_rufoniger.html
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Lisa Bey, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
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Trophic Strategy

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There is little information about the diet of S. rufoniger. Large acorns of Lithocarpus spp. have been found with chew marks on them that are thought to be from this cuscus. Black-spotted cuscus are thought to be omnivorous, possibly feeding occasionally on small animals (Flannery, 1995).

Primary Diet: omnivore

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Bey, L. 2003. "Spilocuscus rufoniger" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Spilocuscus_rufoniger.html
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Lisa Bey, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
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Distribution

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Spilocuscus rufoniger, the black-spotted cuscus, is restricted to northern New Guinea. It is found in the provinces of Papua New Guinea, Morobe Province, Sattelberg (Smithsonian Institution, 1993).

Biogeographic Regions: australian (Native )

Other Geographic Terms: island endemic

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Bey, L. 2003. "Spilocuscus rufoniger" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Spilocuscus_rufoniger.html
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Lisa Bey, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
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Habitat

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S. rufoniger inhabits tropical forests and thick scrub areas in northern New Guinea. It inhabits undisturbed forests below 1200 meters in elevation (Flannery, 1995; Nowak, 1999).

Range elevation: 1200 (high) m.

Habitat Regions: tropical

Terrestrial Biomes: forest ; scrub forest

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Bey, L. 2003. "Spilocuscus rufoniger" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Spilocuscus_rufoniger.html
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Lisa Bey, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
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Chris Yahnke, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
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Life Expectancy

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Nothing is known about the lifespan of these animals.

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Bey, L. 2003. "Spilocuscus rufoniger" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Spilocuscus_rufoniger.html
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Lisa Bey, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
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Morphology

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S. rufoniger is the largest species of phalangerid, with females weighing between 6 and 7 kg on average (Nowak, 1999). The head and body average 70 cm in length, with the tail adding an additional 50 cm on average. Female black-spotted cuscus are larger than males of the species. Although both male and female have striking black and red coloration, their pelage is sexually dimorphic. Females have a dark saddle on their backs, whereas males have only an area of mottling or spots. Young go through a sequence of color changes as they mature. The fur of black-spotted cuscus is dense and wooly.

S. rufoniger has short snouts, and their ears are almost invisible. The head is round with a pointed snout and large eyes that are adapted for a nocturnal lifestyle. The first and second fingers are opposable to the other fingers. Their foreclaws are curved and sharply pointed for climbing. The foot is modified for grasping in that the big toe is opposed to the others. This toe is also clawless. The second and third toes are small and fused. Black-spotted cuscus have highly prehensile tails that are naked at the terminal end. The underside of the tail is striated with calluses for grasping.

Female black-spotted cuscus have four mammae. Their pouches are forward opening and well developed.

In both sexes, the frontal bones of the skull are distinctly convex and have a large sinus that does not open into the nasal cavity. The teeth of cuscus have low crowns. S. rufoniger can be distinguished from other spotted cuscus by the presence of small, peg-like premolars in front of the main premolar of their upper jaws. Cuscus have a well-developed protocone on the first upper molar. The alisphenoid and basoccipital consistently form a more extensive structure that is developed earlier in life than it is in other phalangerids (Flannery, 1995; Grzimek, 1990; Nowak, 1999).

Average mass: 6-7 kg.

Average length: 70 cm.

Sexual Dimorphism: sexes colored or patterned differently

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry

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Bey, L. 2003. "Spilocuscus rufoniger" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Spilocuscus_rufoniger.html
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Lisa Bey, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
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Associations

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The island habitat of S. rufoniger is free of tree-climbing predators (Nowak, 1999).

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Bey, L. 2003. "Spilocuscus rufoniger" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Spilocuscus_rufoniger.html
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Lisa Bey, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
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Reproduction

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The mating system and behavior of this species are unknown.

Mating in S. rufoniger is not well documented or observed. Courtship is usually conducted on the limbs of trees. There is very little known about reproduction of this species (Flannery, 1995).

Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization (Internal ); viviparous

The female provides protection for her altricial neonates in her pouch, and nurses them. Little else is known about parental care in this species.

Parental Investment: altricial

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Bey, L. 2003. "Spilocuscus rufoniger" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Spilocuscus_rufoniger.html
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Black-spotted cuscus

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The black-spotted cuscus (Spilocuscus rufoniger) is a species of marsupial in the family Phalangeridae. It is among the largest members of the family, only being surpassed by the bear cuscus. It is a relatively colourful species found in forests of northern New Guinea.[2] It is threatened by hunting and habitat loss, and has already disappeared from large parts of its range. Consequently, it is rated as Critically Endangered by IUCN.[2]

Evolution and history

The family Phalangeridae originated from the Australian rainforests by the early Miocene epoch. Since then, cuscuses have successfully diversified from the Phalangerids. Current research has indicated that the Trichosurini (possums) separated from the cuscuses that comprised the extant Phalangerids approximately 23 to 29 million years ago. This split supports the surfacing of Sulawesi and New Guinea. The emergence of these land masses implies that the ancestors of the cuscuses traveled to the New Guinea region that appeared while the Trichosurini stayed in Australia. Shortly after this event, around 19 to 24 million years ago, the cuscuses divided into two groups. The first group consists of Ailurops and Strigocuscus celebensis, and the second consists of Phalanger and Spilocuscus, which currently has five species remaining. Out of these five, three are endangered, with Spilocuscus rufoniger being one of them.[3]

There is a masseteric process present in Spilocuscus rufoniger, which is unique to marsupials. There are also inflated frontal sinuses present in the species, which is thought to be a derived characteristic within the family Phalangeridae. Thus, certain distinct features of the black-spotted cuscuses allow them to be classified them as marsupials in the family Phalangeridae.[4]

Geographic range and habitat

The black-spotted cuscus is indigenous to the island of New Guinea. Although the species is spread throughout northern New Guinea, it has been commonly seen in Sattelberg, a village in the Morobe Province of Papua New Guinea. It dwells in undisturbed lower-montane, tropical, primary forests and lowland areas of thick brushwood below 1200 meters in elevation. Black-spotted cuscuses have been located in secondary forests as well.[5]

Description

Black-spotted cuscuses comprise one of the largest species of the family Phalangeridae; only surpassed in size by the bear cuscus.[6] Adult black-spotted cuscuses weigh approximately 6 to 7 kg (13 to 15 lb) on average. Typically, they are 120 cm in length, with the head and body measuring approximately 70 cm, and the tail measuring 50 cm.[5]

Both adult males and females exhibit red and black fur that is dense and woolly. However, females are bigger and have a uniformly dark, saddle-like coloration, while males have spotty colorations. The pelages of the young transform through a series of colors during maturation. The undersides of black-spotted cuscuses have areas of yellow and white. Females possess four mammae and modified pouches for neonates that open anteriorly.[5]

Black-spotted cuscuses have round heads with a short, pointed snout. The frontal skull bones are convex, which gives them their bulging forehead, and they have a large sinus that is closed off from the nasal cavity. In black-spotted cuscuses, the basioccipital and alisphenoid bones in the skull create a well-developed structure earlier than in other Phalangeridae. Their eyes are characterized by large, vertically split pupils that are useful for their nocturnal lifestyle.[5] There is fur lining the inner ears, which are almost invisible.[3] Black-spotted cuscuses can be distinguished from other cuscuses by their teeth. They have low crowns and small premolars that lie anterior to the primary premolar in the upper jaw. In addition, they have a prominent protocone on their first, upper molars.[5]

They have arched front claws that are pointed acutely for the purpose of climbing. The first two digits on these foreclaws are opposable to the other three digits. The toes of the hind feet have adapted to grasp objects and branches; the opposable big toe has no claws, while the smaller second and third toes are fused together.[5]

Black-spotted cuscuses primarily use their tails for grasping. They are naked at the tip, and the underside of the tails are streaked with calluses for ease of picking up items such as food.[5]

Behavior

Spilocuscus rufoniger are endotherms. The black-spotted cuscuses are primarily arboreal; they only descend to the ground periodically. Being nocturnal creatures, they rest in a curled position on high branches throughout the day. Naturally, they are sluggish creatures with predominantly solitary lifestyles. Feeding and nesting is performed individually. Interactions and encounters between individuals of this species typically involve aggression. There have been no reports of arboreal predators in the habitats of the black-spotted cuscus.[5]

Reproduction

Little is known regarding the mating behavior of black-spotted cuscuses. Courting is typically performed on tree limbs. Black-spotted cuscuses produce offspring via sexual reproduction. They are viviparous, with the mother birthing live young.[5]

Parental care

The mother possesses a pouch that functions in nursing and protecting her altricial neonates. Little else is noted in regards to the parental investment and care of the black-spotted cuscus.[5]

Diet

Little is known about the dietary habits of this species. They are believed to be omnivores that consume small animals. In addition, they feed upon fruits, leaves, nuts.[5]

Population

From 1982 to 1990, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) stated that the species was “Rare”. This was until its status was changed to “Vulnerable” in 1994 and then to “Endangered” in 1996.[2] According to the IUCN, the black-spotted cuscus has been classified as Critically Endangered since 2010.[3] The population of this species is drastically declining due to human disruptions.[2]

The expansion of human populations has led to the conversion from forestry to cultivated land for agricultural purposes.[5] For instance, there has been an influx of Javan people into Papua New Guinea, which destroys the habitats of the black-spotted cuscuses and contributes to their decline.[2]

Currently, plans for oil palm activities and logging concessions are underway in locations that are home to the black-spotted cuscus.[5] International trade has also inhibited the biodiversity on the island of Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea has high exportation rates, which serves as a threat to the species.[7]

The main threat to the black-spotted cuscus is overhunting.[8] Due to its large size in comparison to other marsupials, it is frequently hunted for its meat. In addition, its dense, colorful fur makes it favorable for capes and headwear. The existence of the black-spotted cuscus in a limited environment makes it an easy hunting target.[5]

Conservation status

Currently, there are no existing national parks in Papua New Guinea to protect this species.[5] However, to address the critical endangerment status, a management area has been built in Papua New Guinea, and there are numerous areas in Indonesia that the black-spotted cuscuses can inhabit for protection.[3] To further address the problem, hunting restrictions and public awareness need to be implemented.[2]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Spilocuscus rufoniger.
  1. ^ Groves, C. P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 48–49. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. OCLC 62265494.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Leary, T.; Singadan, R.; Menzies, J.; Helgen, K.; Allison, A.; James, R.; Flannery, T.; Aplin, K.; Dickman, C.; Salas, L. (2016). "Spilocuscus rufoniger". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T20639A21949788. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T20639A21949788.en. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d Evolutionary Distinct & Globally Endangered (2010). Black-spotted cuscus (Spilocuscus rufoniger). ZSL Living Conservation.
  4. ^ Wroe, S.; Brammall, J.; Cooke, B.N. (1998). "The Skull of Ekaltadeta ima (Marsupialia, Hypsiprymnodontidae): An Analysis of Some Marsupial Cranial Features and a Reinvestigation of Propleopine Phylogeny". Journal of Paleontology. 72 (4). JSTOR 1306699.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Bey, Lisa (2014). Spilocuscus rufoniger: Black-spotted Cuscus. Animal Diversity Web.
  6. ^ Spilocuscus rufoniger: Black-spotted Cuscus. Encyclopedia of Life
  7. ^ Lenzen, M.; Moran, D.; Kanemoto, K.; Foran, B.; Lobefaro, L. (2012). "International Trade Drives Biodiversity Threats in Developing Nations". Nature. 486 (7401): 109–112. doi:10.1038/nature11145. PMID 22678290.
  8. ^ Cuthbert, Richard (2010). "Sustainability of Hunting, Population Densities, Intrinsic Rates of Increase and Conservation of Papua New Guinean Mammals: A Quantitative Review". Biological Conservation. 143 (8): 1850–1859. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2010.04.005.
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Black-spotted cuscus: Brief Summary

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The black-spotted cuscus (Spilocuscus rufoniger) is a species of marsupial in the family Phalangeridae. It is among the largest members of the family, only being surpassed by the bear cuscus. It is a relatively colourful species found in forests of northern New Guinea. It is threatened by hunting and habitat loss, and has already disappeared from large parts of its range. Consequently, it is rated as Critically Endangered by IUCN.

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