Occurrence of the ground cuscus Phalanger gymnotis (Phalangeridae: Marsupialia) in the Trans-Fly region, Papua New Guinea

A specimen of the ground cuscus (Phalanger gymnotis) collected in 2006 remains the only record from the Trans-Fly region of southern Papua New Guinea. It extended the known range by some 250 km southwest of the nearest records (Mt Sisa in the Central Cordillera and Kikori Basin, Gulf Province), into a habitat previously considered unsuitable for the species. We were unable to assign the specimen to either of the two subspecies, P. g. gymnotis from mainland New Guinea or P. g. leucippus from Aru Islands. The 2006 record is detailed here and its biogeographic implications are discussed.

Automated summary

A single specimen of the ground cuscus collected in 2006 in the Trans-Fly region of southern Papua New Guinea is the only known record from that area. This discovery expands the known range of the species, reaching 250 km southwest of the nearest records. The specimen could not be classified into either of the two subspecies, and its biogeographic implications are discussed in the article.