NO. 5 MAMMALS OF PANAMA — GOLDMAN 53 



M. fuscogriseus, which, however, proves to have been a young adult 

 that had not reached full size. The males have a patch (probably 

 glandular) of pale greenish yellow on each side of the flanks just in 

 front of the thighs ; in the females the fur around the edge of the 

 pouch, and also lining it, is bright rusty chestnut." Anthony (1916, 

 p. 363) records a specimen taken by him at Gatun. 



The native name zorro is applied to this species and to all of the 

 other large opossums inhabiting the region. 



Specimens examined : Bugaba, 3 * ; Boqueron, 5 2 ; Boquete, 1 1 ; 

 Buenaventura Island (near Porto Bello), 1 ; Empire, 4; Gatun, 12 3 ; 

 Tabernilla, 3. 



METACHIRUS NUDICAUDATUS DENTANEUS Goldman 



Brown Opossum; Zorro 



[Plate 20, figs. 1, 10] 



Metachirus nudicaudatus dentaneus Goldman, Smiths. Misc. Coll. Vol. 56, 

 No. 36, p. 3. February 19, 1912. Type from Gatun, Canal Zone, Panama. 



In size and superficial appearance this opossum resembles Meta- 

 chirus opossum fuscogriseus, but is distinguishable by brown instead 

 of dark grayish general coloration, and by ochraceous buffy instead 

 of plain grayish light areas on the head. 



It occurs sparingly at low elevations where M. 0. fuscogriseus 

 is an abundant species, but apparently becomes more numerous and 

 largely replaces that animal on the middle slopes of the mountains. 

 The general habits of the two appear to be the same, and both are 

 northern representatives of widely ranging South American species. 



Specimens are recorded by Anthony (1916, p. 364) from Gatun, 

 Maxon Ranch (Rio Trinidad), 3; Tacarcuna, 2. 



Specimens examined : Cana, 4 ; Cerro Azul, 1 ; Gatun (type 

 locality), 5*; Maxon Ranch (Rio Trinidad), 1 2 ; Tacarcuna, 2.' 



Genus PHILANDER Brisson 



The opossums of this genus are handsome animals of about the 

 same medium size as Metachirus, but may be readily distinguished 

 from that genus by longer, softer, more woolly pelage, and richer, 

 more contrasting colors. The face is marked by a dark median stripe. 

 In Philander the temporal ridges remain permanently separate much 

 as in Marmosa, but the skull differs notably from that of the latter 



1 Collection Mus. Comp. Zool. 



2 Collection Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 

 'One specimen in Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 



4 Three in collection Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 



