NOTES OX COLOUR-VARIATIONS OF OPOSSUMS OF THE GENUS TRICHOSURUS. 



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Animals from North-West Australia have the hair on the tail scanty towards the tip. Opossums 

 Irom Deal and Flinders Island have slightly smaller ears in proportion to their size than those from 

 the mainland, but are otherwise similar to T. vulpecula, and show the same colour variations. 



Variation in size is also noticeable, the largest examples coming Irom Tasmania, while the size 

 is gradually reduced as the species ranges northwards. Generally speaking, animals found in fairly 

 heavv forest country are large, while those from dry districts are smaller. In support of this it 

 may be noted that specimens from forest lands on the north coast of New South Wales are similar 

 in size and appearance to those from Tasmania, and further resemble them in having smaller ears in 

 proportion to the body. 



The following are measurements of specimens from various localities, three being measured in 

 each case: — Tasmania: Body, 46-58011.; Flinders Island. Bass Strait: Body, 43-45.3 cm., tail 

 28-35 cm - ; Mew South Wales : Body, 48-53.5 cm., tail 25.3-28 cm. Western Australia : Body, 

 35-36.5 cm. ; North-western Australia: Body, 32-39 cm., tail 24-28 cm. ; North-eastern Queensland : 

 Body, 43-47 cm., tail 36-39 cm. 



Mountain or Short-eared Opossum, Trichosurus caninus, Ogilby. 

 This animal has a much more restricted range than T. vulpecula, being confined to the Great 

 Dividing Range, which extends from Victoria to Queensland. 



The typical form is found in heavy forest country on the ranges, and chiefly on the stringy bark 

 timber. It has dense grey fur with a whitish breast. In the British .Museum catalogue of Marsupalia 

 and Monotremata, .Mr. Oldfield Thomas states that the colour is dark grey or deep umber brown. 

 This is evidently a mistake, for T. caninus does not show any brown, though skins of the form here 

 described as T. caninus nigrans, after having been in spirits, turn brown. 



H. Burrell, photo. 



Trichosurus caninus nigrans, sub-sp. nov. 



