View source for Phalangeriformes

{{short description|Suborder of arboreal marsupials}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Paraphyletic group
| fossil_range = {{fossil range|Oligocene|present}}
| image = Phalangeriformes.jpg
| image_caption =
| auto = yes
| taxon = Phalangeriformes
| authority = [[Alexandra L. Szalay|Szalay]] in [[Mike Archer (paleontologist)|Archer]], 1982
| includes =
* [[Phalangeroidea]]
** †[[Ektopodontidae]]
** [[Burramyidae]]
** [[Phalangeridae]]
* [[Petauroidea]]
** [[Pseudocheiridae]]
** [[Petauridae]]
** [[Tarsipedidae]]
** [[Acrobatidae]]
| excludes =
* [[Macropodiformes]]
}}

'''Phalangeriformes''' {{IPAc-en|f|@|ˈ|l|ae|n|dZ|@r|ᵻ|f|ɔr|m|iː|z}} is a paraphyletic<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Eldridge|first1=Mark D B|last2=Beck|first2=Robin M D|last3=Croft|first3=Darin A|last4=Travouillon|first4=Kenny J|last5=Fox|first5=Barry J|date=2019-05-23|title=An emerging consensus in the evolution, phylogeny, and systematics of marsupials and their fossil relatives (Metatheria)|journal=Journal of Mammalogy|volume=100|issue=3|pages=802–837|doi=10.1093/jmammal/gyz018|issn=0022-2372}}</ref> suborder of about 70 species of small to medium-sized [[arboreal locomotion|arboreal]] [[marsupial]]s native to [[Australia]], [[New Guinea]], and [[Sulawesi]].<ref name=MSW3>{{MSW3 Diprotodontia | heading= Suborder Phalangeriformes | id = 11000015 | pages = 44–56}}</ref> The species are commonly known as '''possums''',<ref>{{Cite OED|opossum|8236326670}}</ref> '''gliders''', and '''cuscus'''. The common name "(o)possum" for various Phalangeriformes species derives from the creatures' resemblance to the [[opossum]]s of the [[Americas]] (the term comes from [[Powhatan language]] ''aposoum'' "white animal", from [[proto-Algonquian language|Proto-Algonquian]] *''wa·p-aʔɬemwa'' "white dog").<ref name="Siebert">{{cite encyclopedia | last=Siebert | first=Frank T. Jr. |editor-last=Crawford |editor-first=James Mack |date=1975 |encyclopedia=Studies in Southeastern Indian Languages |title=Resurrecting Virginia Algonquian from the Dead: The Reconstituted and Historical Phonology of Powhatan |publisher=University of Georgia Press}}</ref> However, although opossums are also marsupials, Australasian possums are more closely related to other [[Australidelphia|Australasian marsupials]] such as [[kangaroo]]s.

Phalangeriformes are [[quadrupedalism|quadrupedal]] [[Diprotodontia|diprotodont]] marsupials with long tails. The smallest species, indeed the smallest diprotodont marsupial, is the [[Tasmanian pygmy possum]], with an adult head-body length of {{convert|70|mm|in|frac=4|abbr=on}} and a weight of {{convert|10|g|oz|frac=8|abbr=on}}. The largest are the two species of [[bear cuscus]], which may exceed {{convert|7|kg|lboz|abbr=on}}. Phalangeriformes species are typically [[nocturnality|nocturnal]] and at least partially arboreal. They inhabit most vegetated habitats, and several species have adjusted well to urban settings. Diets range from [[generalist and specialist species|generalist]] [[herbivore]]s or [[omnivore]]s (the [[common brushtail possum]]) to specialist browsers of [[eucalyptus]] ([[greater glider]]), [[insectivore]]s ([[mountain pygmy possum]]) and nectar-feeders ([[honey possum]]).

== Classification ==
{{main|List of phalangeriformes}}
[[File:Eastern Pygmy Possum Pilliga Forest NSW.jpg|thumb|[[Eastern pygmy possum]], [[Pilliga forest]], NSW]]
[[File:Ailurops ursinus Naemundung 2 North Sulawesi.jpg|thumb|[[Sulawesi bear cuscus]]]]
[[File:Southern Brown Cuscus, photo by CNZdenek & AJBurnett.jpg|thumb|[[Southern common cuscus]], [[Cape York Peninsula]], Queensland]]
[[File:Phalanger maculatus (male) - Museo Civico di Storia Naturale Giacomo Doria - Genoa, Italy - DSC03051.JPG|thumb|[[Common spotted cuscus]], [[Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Genova|Genoa]]]]
[[File:Ringtail Possum. Brisbane.jpg|thumb|[[Common ringtail possum]], [[Brisbane]]]]
[[File:PhalangistaHerbertensisSmit.jpg|thumb|[[Herbert River ringtail possum]], 1884]]
[[File:Striped Possum JCB.jpg|thumb|[[Striped possum]], [[Crater Lakes National Park]], Queensland]]
[[File:Sugar Gliders eating Mealworms.jpg|thumb|[[Sugar glider]]s at mealtime]]
[[File:Feathertail glider, Acrobates pygmaeus (Tony Rees photograph).jpg|thumb|The diminutive [[feathertail glider]]]]

About two-thirds of Australian marsupials belong to the [[Order (biology)|order]] [[Diprotodontia]], which is split into three [[suborder]]s, namely the [[Vombatiformes]] ([[wombat]]s and the [[koala]], four species in total); the large and diverse Phalangeriformes (the possums and gliders) and [[Macropodiformes]] ([[kangaroo]]s, [[potoroo]]s, [[wallaby|wallabies]] and the [[musky rat-kangaroo]]). Note: this classification is based on Ruedas & Morales 2005.{{clarification needed|reason=This reference seems to be about the arrangement of genera in Phalangeridae and its subfamilies (I can't access the full text of the article, though). If so this statement about the classification is misleading.|date=March 2021}} However, Phalangeriformes has been recovered as paraphyletic with respect to Macropodiformes, rendering the latter a subset of the former if Phalangeriformes are to be considered a natural group.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Warburton|first1=Natalie M.|last2=Prideaux|first2=Gavin J.|title=The skeleton of Congruus kitcheneri, a semiarboreal kangaroo from the Pleistocene of southern Australia|journal=Royal Society Open Science|year=2021|volume=8|issue=3|article-number=202216|doi=10.1098/rsos.202216|pmid=33959368|pmc=8074921|bibcode=2021RSOS....802216W|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Eldridge|first1=Mark D B|last2=Beck|first2=Robin M D|last3=Croft|first3=Darin A|last4=Travouillon|first4=Kenny J|last5=Fox|first5=Barry J|date=2019-05-23|title=An emerging consensus in the evolution, phylogeny, and systematics of marsupials and their fossil relatives (Metatheria)|journal=Journal of Mammalogy|volume=100|issue=3|pages=802–837|doi=10.1093/jmammal/gyz018|issn=0022-2372}}</ref>

* Suborder '''Phalangeriformes''': possums, gliders and allies 
** Superfamily [[Phalangeroidea]]
*** Family †[[Ektopodontidae]]:
**** Genus †''[[Ektopodon]]''
***** ''†[[Ektopodon serratus]]''
***** ''†[[Ektopodon stirtoni]]''
***** ''†[[Ektopodon ulta]]''
*** Family [[Burramyidae]]: ([[pygmy possums]])
**** Genus ''[[Burramys]]''
***** [[Mountain pygmy possum]], ''B. parvus''
**** Genus ''[[Cercartetus]]''
***** [[Long-tailed pygmy possum]], ''C. caudatus''
***** [[Southwestern pygmy possum]], ''C. concinnus''
***** [[Tasmanian pygmy possum]], ''C. lepidus''
***** [[Eastern pygmy possum]], ''C. nanus''
*** Family [[Phalangeridae]]: ([[brushtail possums]] and [[cuscus]]es)
**** Subfamily [[Ailuropinae]]
***** Genus ''[[Ailurops]]''
****** [[Talaud bear cuscus]], ''A. melanotis''
****** [[Sulawesi bear cuscus]], ''A. ursinus''
***** Genus ''[[Strigocuscus]]''
****** [[Sulawesi dwarf cuscus]], ''S. celebensis''
****** [[Banggai cuscus]], ''S. pelegensis''
**** Subfamily Phalangerinae
***** Tribe Phalangerini
****** Genus ''[[Phalanger]]''
******* [[Gebe cuscus]], ''P. alexandrae''
******* [[Mountain cuscus]], ''P. carmelitae''
******* [[Ground cuscus]], ''P. gymnotis''
******* [[Eastern common cuscus]], ''P. intercastellanus''
******* [[Woodlark cuscus]], ''P. lullulae''
******* [[Blue-eyed cuscus]], ''P. matabiru''
******* [[Telefomin cuscus]], ''P. matanim''
******* [[Southern common cuscus]], ''P. mimicus''
******* [[Northern common cuscus]], ''P. orientalis''
******* [[Ornate cuscus]], ''P. ornatus''
******* [[Rothschild's cuscus]], ''P. rothschildi''
******* [[Silky cuscus]], ''P. sericeus''
******* [[Stein's cuscus]], ''P. vestitus''
****** Genus ''[[Spilocuscus]]''
******* [[Admiralty Island cuscus]], ''S. kraemeri''
******* [[Common spotted cuscus]], ''S. maculatus''
******* [[Waigeou cuscus]], ''S. papuensis''
******* [[Black-spotted cuscus]], ''S. rufoniger''
******* [[Blue-eyed spotted cuscus]], ''S. wilsoni''
***** Tribe Trichosurini
****** Genus ''[[Trichosurus]]''
******* [[Northern brushtail possum]], ''T. arnhemensis''
******* [[Short-eared possum]], ''T. caninus''
******* [[Mountain brushtail possum]], ''T. cunninghami''
******* [[Coppery brushtail possum]], ''T. johnstonii''
******* [[Common brushtail possum]], ''T. vulpecula''
****** Genus ''[[Wyulda]]''
******* [[Scaly-tailed possum]], ''W. squamicaudata''
** Superfamily [[Petauroidea]]
*** Family [[Pseudocheiridae]]: ([[ring-tailed possum]]s and allies)
**** Subfamily Hemibelideinae
***** Genus ''[[Hemibelideus]]''
****** [[Lemur-like ringtail possum]], ''H. lemuroides''
***** Genus ''[[Petauroides]]''
****** [[Central greater glider]], ''P. armillatus''
******[[Northern greater glider]], ''P. minor''
******[[Petauroides volans|Southern greater glider]], ''P. volans''
**** Subfamily Pseudocheirinae
***** Genus ''[[Petropseudes]]''
****** [[Rock-haunting ringtail possum]], ''P. dahli''
***** Genus ''[[Pseudocheirus]]''
****** [[Common ringtail possum]], ''P. peregrinus''
***** Genus ''[[Pseudochirulus]]''
****** [[Lowland ringtail possum]], ''P. canescens''
****** [[Weyland ringtail possum]], ''P. caroli''
****** [[Cinereus ringtail possum]], ''P. cinereus''
****** [[Painted ringtail possum]], ''P. forbesi''
****** [[Herbert River ringtail possum]], ''P. herbertensis''
****** [[Masked ringtail possum]], ''P. larvatus''
****** [[Pygmy ringtail possum]], ''P. mayeri''
****** [[Vogelkop ringtail possum]], ''P. schlegeli''
**** Subfamily [[Pseudochiropsinae]]
***** Genus ''[[Pseudochirops]]''
****** [[D'Albertis' ringtail possum]], ''P. albertisii''
****** [[Green ringtail possum]], ''P. archeri''
****** [[Plush-coated ringtail possum]], ''P. corinnae''
****** [[Reclusive ringtail possum]], ''P. coronatus''
****** [[Coppery ringtail possum]], ''P. cupreus''
*** Family [[Petauridae]]: ([[striped possum]], [[Leadbeater's possum]], [[yellow-bellied glider]], [[sugar glider]], [[mahogany glider]], [[squirrel glider]])
**** Genus ''[[Dactylopsila]]''
***** [[Great-tailed triok]], ''D. megalura''
***** [[Long-fingered triok]], ''D. palpator''
***** [[Tate's triok]], ''D. tatei''
***** [[Striped possum]], ''D. trivirgata''
**** Genus ''[[Gymnobelideus]]''
***** [[Leadbeater's possum]], ''G. leadbeateri''
**** Genus ''[[Petaurus]]''
***** [[Northern glider]], ''P''. ''abidi''
***** [[Savanna glider]], ''P. ariel''
***** [[Yellow-bellied glider]], ''P. australis''
***** [[Biak glider]], ''P. biacensis''
***** [[Sugar glider]], ''P. breviceps''
***** [[Mahogany glider]], ''P. gracilis''
***** [[Squirrel glider]], ''P. norfolcensis''
***** [[Krefft's glider]], ''P. notatus''
*** Family [[Tarsipedidae]]: ([[honey possum]])
**** Genus ''[[Tarsipes]]''
***** [[Honey possum]] or ''noolbenger'', ''T. rostratus''
*** Family [[Acrobatidae]]: ([[feathertail glider]] and [[feather-tailed possum]])
**** Genus ''[[Acrobates]]''
***** [[Feathertail glider]], ''A. pygmaeus''
**** Genus ''[[Distoechurus]]''
***** [[Feather-tailed possum]], ''D. pennatus''

== See also ==
* [[Fauna of Australia]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
*[http://www.australiazoo.com.au/our-animals/amazing-animals/mammals/?mammal=possums_and_gliders Possums and Gliders] – Australia Zoo
*[http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2006/09/07/2041855.htm Urban Possums] – ABC (Science), Australian Broadcasting Corporation
*{{cite journal |last1=Ruedas |first1=L.A. |last2=Morales |first2=J.C. |title=Evolutionary relationships among genera of Phalangeridae (Metatheria: Diprotodontia) inferred from mitochondrial data |journal=Journal of Mammalogy |volume=86 |issue=2 |pages=353–365 |year=2005 |doi=10.1644/BER-117.1 |jstor=4094355 |doi-access=free }}
*[http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/topic/2858 Possums or Opossums?] on [[Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa]]

{{Phalangerida|P.|state=collapsed}}
{{Diprotodontia}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q279198}}

[[Category:Possums| ]]
[[Category:Marsupials of Oceania]]
[[Category:Extant Oligocene first appearances]]
[[Category:Diprotodonts]]
[[Category:Paraphyletic groups]]