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ZSL London Zoo "Crab-eating opossum"

Discussion in 'United Kingdom' started by sooty mangabey, 8 Mar 2015.

  1. sooty mangabey

    sooty mangabey Well-Known Member

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    In the 1960 ZSL Annual Report, four "Crab-eating opossums" are listed as being amongst the new arrivals; no scientific name is given.

    As far as I know, this isn't a common name which is in usage today, and some (very basic) research has failed to throw up any suggestions as to what the species might be. Could it be something from the genus Philander (the four-eyed opossums)?

    Thank you, in advance.
     
    sooty mangabey, 8 Mar 2015
    #1
  2. lowland anoa

    lowland anoa Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    I looked it up and only found Didelphis marsupialis as it's Latin name.
     
    lowland anoa, 8 Mar 2015
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  3. Tim May

    Tim May Well-Known Member 15+ year member Premium Member

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    Flower (1927) uses the name crab-eating opossum for Didelphis marsupialis karkinophaga and gives the alternate name as Didelphis cancrivora
     
    Tim May, 8 Mar 2015
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  4. vogelcommando

    vogelcommando Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    I also Googled it and it seems to be another name - as lowland anoa said - for the Common or Black-eared opossum Didelphis marsupialis.
     
    vogelcommando, 8 Mar 2015
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  5. sooty mangabey

    sooty mangabey Well-Known Member

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    Thank you very much for your help!
     
    sooty mangabey, 8 Mar 2015
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