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Home , Coppery brushtail possum, Cuscus, Daintree River, Dorcopsis (genus), Green ringtail possum, Striped possum

Tropical Topics A n i n t e r p r e t i v e n e w s l e t t e r f o r t h e t o u r i s m i n d u s t r y

Rainforest possums Vol 1 No. 7 November 1992 Possum Notes from the patterns Editor The Atherton and Evelyn Tablelands, where rainforest exists next to areas of tall open eucalypt Long-tailed forests, is home to one of the largest concentrations of possums in About 15 million years ago , Australia. It is possible (in theory!) moving north, bumped into the Asian to see 13 species of possums and continental plate. This collision allowed an gliders within an area of a few exchange to take place between two sets of flora and kilometres. fauna which had evolved in isolation. Asian flora and fauna, including many placental rats, moved into This month’s Tropical Topics deals Australia. At the same time Australian species moved north. Many with the rainforest species, colonised Papua , a new high altitude land mass which had been specifically the green, lemuroid, created by pressure between the Asian and Australian plates. Some, like the Herbert and Daintree River , thrived in their new home while relatives left in Australia ringtails, the coppery brushtail, the became extinct. and the long-tailed Changing climatic conditions caused Because (possums related to pygmy possum. Some of the open Australia to dry out. Rainforest which brushtails) are found only in northern forest possums, notably the sugar had covered much of the continent Cape York, they were assumed to have glider, do enter the rainforest but retreated to ‘refugia’ — river valleys originated in New Guinea, moving to there is a fairly clear distinction and cool, moist mountain tops. Then, Australia only quite recently. Fossils between rainforest and open forest about 8000 years ago, the climate of ancient (and extinct) cuscuses types. To tackle all in one short became wetter and the rainforests discovered in and issue would lead to overload, so we expanded again. , however, turned this story have decided to keep the open around. It is now believed that these forest possums and gliders for a Today’s Wet Tropics possum animals were once widespread in future issue. distributions reflect these changes. Australia but died out, possibly during The rainforest ringtails — the green, its driest period about lemuroid, and Daintree 18 000 years ago. Those which had Readers of (or glancers at) Tropical River ringtails — remained in the already moved to New Guinea thrived, Topics often react with surprise rainforests, retreating with them into two species eventually returning to when they discover a marine item in the refugia sites and expanding their Australia as conditions there a Wet Tropics issue and vice versa. range again when conditions became improved. Since every issue goes to both wetter. As ‘relict’ species they have groups of tour operators we try to evolved very little and survive in Working out this ancient puzzle is a include something of interest for primitive forms. slow process and the discovery of everyone. different pieces means that the story is Other species adapted to the drier constantly being rewritten. Many conditions; the common ringtail, the questions remain. The distribution of brushtail and the evolved the long-tailed pygmy possum, for to survive in open forests. Later, to a example, still poses problems because certain extent, they re-entered the it exists in New Guinea and Australia rainforest to live alongside the relict but is absent from northern Cape York ringtail species, although they are in between. It will be some time before more commonly seen in open forests. scientists are able to answer all the questions. Diets and dens poisonous, non-nutritious and/or therefore the most energetic of the tough. To counter these protection three ringtail possums, leaping strategies, animals have become very between trees and returning to a fixed selective in choosing their leafy meals den at the end of the night’s activity. and have also cultivated some useful friends... gut microbes. In contrast to the lemuroid possum, the green ringtail is the sloth of the The only organisms able to digest rainforest. Its diet consists of tough plant fibre are special microbes found and poisonous fig leaves, the leaves of in the stomachs of all animals, from some laurels and even those of the termites to humans, which eat shining stinger! Such a diet is low in plants. Certain micro-organisms energy but easy to find, because there can also break down the are few other animals wanting to eat poisons found in leaves but such poor quality food. Green ringtails this requires a lot of energy. therefore do not have to search far for These useful microbes are so something to eat. Then, at the end of important to possums that they the night, these low-energy possums have provided a special home save on fuel by curling up wherever for them, the caecum. The human they are. Consequently, green ringtails appendix is the equivalent of don't have a fixed den but change their the caecum. However while sleeping site nightly, depending on the the human appendix is small location of their last meal. (we don’t rely on plant fibre to survive), the possum’s Herbert River ringtails feed on caecum is large, reflecting regrowth species such as sarsaparilla Green ringtail its vegetarian diet. (Alphitonia petriei) and quandongs possum such as Elaeocarpus ruminatus. Their Research has found energy intake falls somewhere between The rainforest ringtail possums that not only are that of the green and the lemuroid are primarily leaf eaters, taking an possums very selective eaters, but ringtails, and so does their den occasional snack of flowers and fruits their behaviour also depends largely requirement. ‘Herbies’ will return to on the side. Not all leaves, however, on the energy available in their diet. dens if they are close to home at the are edible. Lemuroid ringtails choose leaves low end of the night’s activities. Otherwise, in fibre such as the young leaves of they will not waste energy and often As leaves are a plant’s solar cells, Queensland maple (Flindersia prefer to camp in nearby epiphytic essential for survival, plants protect brayleyana) and white carabeen ferns. them from insect and (Sloanea langii). Because they use predators. Common protection less energy to digest their food they methods involve making the leaves have more to spend. This species is Acknowledgments to Dr Nicky Goudberg. Possums and patches Research shows that different species which never comes of possums can co-exist in the same down to the area of rainforest by feeding on ground. different plants. This variation in diet, Unfortunately its and related lifestyle, leads to different diet consists responses to destruction and largely of mature fragmentation of forest. rainforest tree foliage, Green ringtails and coppery brushtails particularly are the most adaptable and can be those cabinet found in quite small patches of forest timber trees as well as in disturbed areas. These which are the animals feed on secondary growth target of loggers. and pioneer species which commonly It needs a den for daytime result from disturbance, as well as resting and does not live in species such as fig trees which are secondary forest. Its reluctance to not removed by loggers. They are come to the ground reduces its ability also willing to travel along the to move to other areas when its home is disturbed. Of the leaf-eating Lemuroid ringtail ground, even through open areas possum away from rainforest, enabling them to rainforest possums it is the least able move between small forest patches. to survive in remnant patches, The green ringtail is not dependent on disappearing from small fragments den sites such as tree hollows or within nine years and from fragments secondary trees. It is less of a canopy epiphytic ferns. of 40-80ha within 35-60 years. dweller and will come to the ground, enabling it to escape from areas which Lemuroid ringtails and Herbert River The Herbert River ringtail has similar are disturbed. Numbers decline sharply ringtails are more vulnerable. The dietary and den requirements to the in areas under 20ha in size. lemuroid is a high canopy dweller lemuroid but is able to feed on some Acknowledgments to Dr Bill Laurance Possum tucker

Possum’s got a belly ache Possum lives in possum land Positively crook A finely balanced state Spare a thought for possum’s sake Feeding possum from the hand ‘Cos possum’s not a sook Endangers possum’s fate

Possum lives on forest food By all means look and listen Not on tourist snacks And savour possum’s play Possum doesn’t feel too good But keep the tucker hidden It’s sympathy he lacks Let possum live his way! Robin Filkin

Possums and humans do not have population balances. Generally it is food are also in danger from dogs. the same digestive systems. If fed the brushtails which will approach If you must feed a possum, please a diet of leaves our health would humans for handouts. This artificial give it fruit or carrot (avoid suffer. Similarly, possums cannot increase in food supply leads to a cabbage and other brassicas). cope with bread and other ‘human’ population boom in that particular However, with a little effort, foods. They might as well be species. Other types of possum are careful spotlighting will reveal a eating cotton wool. It makes them pushed out of the area and the greater variety of possums without feel full so they eat fewer leaves, diversity of species decreases. damaging the animals. Bear in causing malnutrition and ill health. mind, also, that feeding of animals Unnaturally tame possums which in national parks is illegal. Feeding possums not only leads to have become accustomed to a dependence but can also change coming down to the ground for Spotlighting for possums As possums are nocturnal animals, the best way to find them at night is to look for their eyeshine with a spotlight. Eyeshine is caused by a membrane, or ‘tapetum’, at the back of the eye which reflects light back through the eye a second time to enhance night vision. The more reflected light — in other words, the brighter the eyeshine — the better the can see at night. Thus our dull red eyeshine, seen in flash photos, reveals our night vision to be inferior to that of the , with its bright white glare.

Rainforest possums also have Thoughtless spotlighting can cause continue their activities different coloured eyeshine distress to animals. Night-adapted while you watch. depending on the species. With eyes are very light sensitive so Their reactions to practice the colours and brightness avoid 100 watt spotlights. Although white light can can be used to help identify the eyeshine can be picked up with a vary from different species; lemuroid ringtails small torch, to view the animal a 30 prolonged grooming, which is a have the brightest eyeshine — a watt spotlight (in conjunction with sign of nervousness, to moving brilliant white/yellow glare — binoculars) is best. Always place away completely. Usually animals Herbert River ringtails have a pink/ the spotlight directly in front of become less light-tolerant as the yellow eyeshine, green ringtails a your face so you can look along evening progresses. dimmer red eyeshine and brushtails the beam, otherwise you often miss and striped possums have a pinkish the eyeshine. Once an animal has While looking for animals try to eyeshine. Sometimes the colours been located and identified, swing remain quiet — often sounds of appear different if the animals are a red filter, such as a single layer activity guide you to an animal. not looking straight at you or if they of red cellophane, over the white Likewise, keep quiet while are juveniles, so use the eyeshine light. Although this dims the light a watching. Repeated disturbance merely as an indicator. little, possums are far less scares animals away from an area disturbed by the red light and will and makes finding them difficult for everyone. Acknowledgments to Dr Nicky Goudberg. Possum portraits Seven possums have their homes in the rainforests of . Six of them — the green, lemuroid, Herbert River and Daintree River ringtails, the coppery brushtail and the long-tailed pygmy possum — are endemic to the Wet Tropics and therefore occur nowhere else. (The long-tailed pygmy possum’s relative in New Guinea is a subspecies.)

Herbert River ringtail Lemuroid ringtail possum Young Herbert River ringtails This possum was named, in 1884, because start life with a pale brown its large eyes reminded Swedish zoologist, coat and a long dark stripe Robert Collet, of the from on the head and upper Madagascar which were common in back. Within a year the European zoos at the time. These eyes are coat gradually changes. set to the front of its head and may well The adult is dark brown, give this animal the stereoscopic vision it almost black, with needs for its free-fall leaps between forest varying amounts of branches. white. Most have at least a white spot on the chest and a white tail tip. Some have a pure white chest and/or belly and some also have white bands on the upper arms. Rare individuals are almost entirely white. A dark individual may be mistaken for a lemuroid ringtail. The best distinguishing features are its tapering tail and pointed face with a ‘Roman’ nose. ‘Herbie’, symbol of the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service, is a solitary creature and adults are only seen in pairs before mating. The female gives birth to two young which spend an unusually short time on her back. The mother sometimes ‘parks’ her older babies on branches; these should not be moved as the mother will return to them. Tree hollows, epiphytic ferns or mistletoes are preferred for dens but some animals have The lemuroid is the only one of the been observed to construct nests, all less than two metres from the ground. Like the larger possums to leap in this way. common ringtails, the Herbie carries thin branches in its curled tail and weaves them into It is able to cover distances of a cup-shaped or a domed structure with a side entrance. two to three metres and does so with its legs spread like a glider. In fact, Daintree River ringtail the lemuroid is a ‘half This possum is very similar to the Herbert River ringtail but the pale brown colour of the glider’, having a young ‘Herbie’ is retained by the adult of this species. The two possums have separate rudimentary skin flap on each side of its distributions, the Daintree species occupying an area to the north of the ‘Herbie’s’ body. This is particularly visible in young range. They were recognised as different species only in 1989 on the basis of having ones. different chromosome numbers. The lemuroid characteristically has a round fluffy shape with a short-nosed pug-like face. Unlike other ringtails its tail The green of this possum’s fur is produced by a doesn’t taper and is used as a rudder combination of black, white and yellow bands. when the animal is leaping. The majority Although, like all possums, it is nocturnal it doesn’t of lemuroids are a charcoal grey to brown retire to a den at night and can sometimes be seen colour with a yellowish tinge below. feeding during the day. It spends most daylight Above 1100m on the Carbine Tableland, hours, however, hunched up with its tail between its however, 30 percent of the animals have legs and curled tightly under its nose, well white coats. This variation is present in camouflaged by its fur. Although it is usually a slow three in 10 000 of the general population; mover, the green ringtail can, when escaping, move these animals are not a different species rapidly through the canopy by running along but are equivalent of the blonds the branches. among the brunettes! The green ringtail has a dumpy body with a It is not unusual to see lemuroid ringtail pointed face and small ears. Its belly is white family groups of mother, father and one and it has white patches under its eyes and young together. They usually share the ears as well as two silvery stripes along same den site, in a hollow tree, and when its back. Its tail is thick at the base and disturbed will sit closely together in a tapers to a naked finger-like tip. It is the tight group. Lemuroids are the most most solitary of the tree-dwelling gregarious of the ringtails and sometimes ringtails. When two are seen together it feed in groups of up to eight in one tree. is usually a mother with a young one. Although she has two teats, the female usually gives birth to only one young which stays with her for about 10 months. Coppery This is the largest of the rainforest possums. A sub-species of the common brushtail which is found extensively over Australia, the coppery brushtail is restricted to the uplands of the . Colours vary from grey to yellowish brown to a rich copper, with or without a white tail tip. A grey-coloured animal can easily be confused with the common brushtail but can be identified from its location; if it’s in the rainforest it’s a coppery and if it’s in dry country it’s a common brushtail. If confused with its fellow rainforest dwellers, the ringtails, its ears give it away; brushtails have large triangular ears in contrast to ringtails’ small rounded ones.

Coppery brushtails are highly territorial, each pair Long-tailed pygmy possum defending their territory from other brushtails, although This tiny possum has a body only 10cm they usually tolerate ringtails. They use tree hollows as long. It has a black patch around each eye, dens and consume a variety of fruits, flowers, leaves and crinkled ears and a furred base to its tail. insects. Brushtails move more easily on the ground than It is similar in size to a mouse or rat but many other possums and have the confidence to can be most easily distinguished by its scavenge around picnic grounds and in rubbish bins and to typical possum hind feet with two approach people for food. grooming toes and opposable . Its tail, which is often tightly curled, is one and a half times the length of its body. It has a bumpy appearance due to the long bones under the thin skin which show a Striped possum change in angle between each segment. This small possum gets its frenetic The little possum can hang from a branch energy from a diet of insects as and then climb up its own tail. well as flowers, fruits (including bananas) native bee honey and Favourite food includes , pollen pollen. Its elongated fourth and insects. Up to three or four have finger is almost twice the been found feeding on the trunk- length of other fingers and is used to probe flowering bumpy satinash (Syzygium rotten wood for larvae while its cormiflorum) but the long-tailed pygmy chisel-like teeth are used to rip open possum is generally solitary. It constructs dead wood. In fact, the noise of these a spherical nest from leaves or fern fronds, activities may first alert the observer in a tree hollow, hollow stump or clump of to its presence. During the day the ferns. Females share their nest with up to sight of scratched and ripped forest four young. Adults (but not couples) also logs indicate that striped possums sometimes share. are around.

Occasionally a possum As its name suggests, the striped possum has unmistakable black and white stripes has been found in a along its body. It is long and slender with a long bushy tail and a head which looks torpid state on a cold large in relation to its body. It has a very strong, musky smell which may make it winter day; the animal distasteful to predators in which case its striking coat, instead of making it vulnerable, is stiff and cold with may function as a highly visible warning. limp ears and lips drawn back Although a rainforest dweller, the striped possum will venture up to several kilometres from the teeth into nearby open forest. It is a fast, agile climber and makes leaps of one to two metres. as if it is dead. Usually solitary, the striped possum uses holes in trees for its den, lining them with This is leaves which it carries in its curled tail. probably an energy-saving Where are they? strategy and it possums are upland dwellers (above becomes Ringtails and coppery brushtails are all found in the upland rainforests of the 300-450m) many exist only in isolated active again populations on mountain tops. after Wet Tropics. The green ringtail is the dark. most widely distributed, and is found between Mt Misery in the north and the Only the long-tailed pygmy possum Paluma Range in the south. The and the striped possum are found in lemuroid is found from the Carbine lowland as well as upland forests. The Tableland to the Cardwell Range. The striped possum is widely (but sparsely) Herbert River ringtail is distributed distributed, from Mt Spec to the tip of between the Lamb Range, near , Cape York and into New Guinea. The and the Seaview Range, north of long-tailed pygmy possum is found Townsville, while the very similar from Daintree to the Paluma Range and Daintree River ringtail is found to the in New Guinea. Its apparent absence north, from Thornton Peak (Daintree) to from Cape York may be because it the Carbine Tableland. Although these simply hasn't been recorded there. ranges seem quite extensive, as these Questions & Answers Facts and stats on possums Q I refer to two enclosed photos, The blue crabs are indeed soldier both taken on Hinchinbrook Island. crabs (Mictyris longicarpus). Each Which crab is responsible for the crab is about the size of a cherry and Predators on possums sand castings which are very has a round blue shell with white include owls (sooty and common on Mulligans Beach? How legs and red knees. The body is rufous) as well as and why is the sand processed and elevated and the eye-stalks are short. pythons (particularly what does the crab look like? Are Soldier crabs live on sandy tidal carpet pythons) and, the little blue crabs, photographed at flats. Before the high tide each crab possibly, spotted . Zoe Bay, soldier crabs? Do they have builds an igloo-like convex mound any interesting characteristics over its shallow burrow. When the worthy of mention? tide recedes the crabs emerge one by Ringtails are very quiet one until large numbers of them animals, the adults A The small sandy pellets are the appear on the previously empty generally remaining feeding trails of a small ghost crab, beach. They form small groups silent while the young probably of the genus Scopimera. It which merge into armies sometimes may produce a quiet lives on the middle beach which is thousands strong, picking up sand noise when separated covered by all except the most and leaving pear-shaped pellets from their mothers. Coppery brushtails extreme neap tides. It slips nimbly in behind. make more noise while striped and out of a deep vertical burrow possums are the most vocal, leaving trails of sand balls, like lead Unlike other species the soldier crab producing a variety of harsh growling shot, radiating out along the paths of can walk forwards instead of calls and loud shrieks while mating. its recent feeding journeys. They are sideways. It also has a distinctive Their presence is also indicated by probably left to the side of the paths ‘corkscrew’ burrowing technique. It their noisy and messy eating habits — so that the crab has a clear route digs down with legs on one side rustling, scratching, snorting, slurping, back to its burrow in moments of while walking backwards with the chewing and falling debris! danger. The crab works over the legs of the other side, vanishing surface sand using its outer mouth rapidly in a spiral movement into the parts to feed on algal slime. It is easy soft sand. A ringtail’s tail is to watch this process by lying prehensile and can be quietly and motionless beside a Q Is it true the rainforest jumping used as a fifth limb. burrow until the crab emerges and ant is an extremely primitive life When it is not in use it begins to feed. The smallest and form consisting of just two keeps it neatly curled commonest of these crabs is chromosomes? up. A brushtail’s tail is Scopimera intermedia. It is 1.5cm only moderately prehensile so it's not across, and has a bluish-green shell A Bulldog and jumper ants belong so useful. which is wider at the back. Its long to the genus Myrmecia, which has eye-stalks are either erect or folded about 60 species, and are found only into grooves. in Australia. They are the most Ringtails have large sharp primitive ants in the world. Myrmecia teeth which cut and pilosula occurs in grind leaves efficiently. and Victoria and has only two Green ringtails, chromosomes, the smallest number particularly, have of any animal. Other species have enormous salivary glands various chromosome numbers with a buffering solution which allows up to about 50. There are them to deal with the many toxic several species of Myrmecia leaves in their diet. This possum’s which occur in North food is so low in energy it eats its own Queensland rainforests but faecal pellets, thus digesting the same nothing is known about their material twice! chromosome numbers. The Myrmecia Soldier crab most interesting is mjobergi, which nests in the Striped possums have base of epiphytes in the canopy. been seen tapping branches with their front feet when Tourist talk searching for food. This tapping may reveal ENGLISH GERMAN JAPANESE hollow parts of the wood where beetle larvae are to be found. possum Opossum fukuronezumi tail Schwanz shiipo ears Ohren mimi The green ringtail, when disturbed at night, will eyeshine Augenglanz ganquuhanshya curl up and sit den Höhle/Bau ana motionless for hours diet Diät joshoku staring calmly down at the intruder. Presumably endemic einzigartig chihoutokuyu no this strategy conceals it from most nocturnal nächtlich yakosei no predators. However, it can move forest Wald shinlin quickly, often as soon as the observer distribution Verteilung boonpu turns away. Nature notes A diary of natural events creates a pleasing journal which grows richer with the passage of time. Watching for the recurrence of an event after noting it in a previous year, and trying to understand what could have caused changes in timing, is intriguing.

These notes are from the author's own notebook, or were offered by researchers and fellow naturalists. Readers will, inevitably, note variations between their observations and those appearing here. If you do not keep a nature diary perhaps this will inspire you to begin one.

Fruit on the tall, strikingly-buttressed pencil cedar (Palaquium galactoxylum) should ripen this month, following a good flowering in May. The fruit attracts a variety of birds as well as fruit bats. Large enough to fully occupy a teaspoon, pencil cedar fruits are yellow and soft when fully ripe, at which stage they are quite tasty, by bush standards. The seed carries a distinctive longitudinal scar which is typical of the Sapotaceae Dollarbirds, family. (Have a look at the seed of the those strong- next sapodilla you eat.) The primary flying, keen-sighted leaves of the broken seed are bright November is the month birds so often pink. While some pencil cedars when buff-breasted seen at dusk maintained a full crown of foliage, a paradise-kingfishers dashing high percentage shed all or most of arrive in the Wet across the sky their leaves in September this year and Tropics to select nest chasing will consequently not fruit. sites and raise new insects, will also be broods. These here this month. Named handsome birds, also for the white patches on their called white-tailed dark wings, these migratory birds are kingfishers, breed in reported to fly as high as 2 500m when ground-level termite travelling south from New Guinea. mounds found in (Source: Readers Digest Complete Book of rainforests. Soft- Australian Birds.) bodied termites prefer a humid atmosphere and a Because their loud, grating, chatter is dust-free environment, so quite audible on still evenings, dollar when their dome homes are birds are detectable above the ventilated by a kingfisher rainforest canopy. However, they are the termites seal off the probably more at home in eucalypt chamber dug by this woodlands. These birds nest in hollow invasive bird. branches of tall trees; old eucalypts and rainforest emergents are ideal. If all goes well for the kingfisher Dollar birds remained in the Daintree The two mound builders of the Wet couple, their three or four eggs will area until well into April of this year, Tropics, the Australian brush-turkey hatch by Christmas or early New Year. which means they spend no more than and the orange-footed scrubfowl have The youngsters will squawk, guzzle half the year in New Guinea. been busy since August, gathering and squirt for the next month or so, leaf litter for the compost heaps which until they are ready to emerge from the will incubate their eggs. Both species nursery. It is surprising that the should lay several eggs this month, reproductive success of this species is although early birds may have begun quite high because the young could in spring. A brush turkey’s egg weighs be expected to provide easy meat for about 180gms, three times the size of snakes and small . Perhaps an egg laid by a bird of comparable the smell of the nest chamber and the body weight which incubates its eggs stabbing beaks of the babies are by sitting on them in the conventional adequate repellents. manner. As a result young brush turkeys are more mature and Adult buff-breasted paradise- completely independent when they kingfishers commonly use a loud kek- hatch. The eggs are unusually thin- kek-kek call but they vary this with a shelled and very porous, allowing for pleasant, subdued trill. By mid-April, maximum gas exchange in the rather at the latest, the adults and their stuffy atmosphere of the wonderful offspring will fly to New Guinea until Brush turkey compost heap. the following November. (Acknowledgments to Roger Seymour in Scientific American, December 1991.) Bookshelf Spotlight on Possums Rainforest Animals Nature Australia Vol. 25 No. 5 Rupert Russell Atlas of Endemic Winter 1996 University of Queensland Press to Australia’s Wet Tropics Possum patterns plucked from (1980) H.A. Nix and M.A. Switzer stone An Australian National Parks Michael Archer This delightful book is based on and Wildlife Service Publication the author’s fieldwork around the (Kowari 1) (1991) A look at the implications of the Atherton Tableland. It is a author's discovery of an ancient personal, anecdotal and Five endemic possums are fossil in Queensland. informative account of most of included in the mammal section the Wet Tropics possums and (the coppery brushtail has not For the academics gliders and is superbly illustrated. been included, perhaps because Happily we have been given kind of its close relationship to the Possums and Gliders permission to reproduce some of common brushtail). For each Andrew Smith and Ian Hume (eds) the illustrations in this chapter. there is a picture, a map showing Surrey Beatty and Sons Pty Ltd recorded and predicted locations, (1984) Complete Book of Australian a description and data on its range. The chapter has an Possums and Gliders Ronald Strahan (ed) introduction by John Winter Studies in Evolution Angus and Robertson Publishers which mentions possums in Michael Archer (ed) (1995) conjunction with other mammals Surrey Beatty and Sons Pty Ltd of the region. (1987). This book provides an account of every species of native mammal Australian Natural History known (in 1995) to have existed Vol. 21 No. 1 in Australia since European Charming ambassadors of our settlement and every introduced northern forests species now living in a wild state. Possums of Australia Part 2 - There are several chapters on the north possums (Wet Tropics species John Winter and others). Each species is described and illustrated with This very interesting, informative excellent photographs over two and readable article concentrates to three pages. A statistics mainly on rainforest species and section gives details of size, the cuscuses of Cape York with identification, status and so on. a mention of the gliders of the open forests.

This newsletter was produced by the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage (now The Environmental Protection Agency) with funding from the Wet Tropics Management Authority.

For further information contact... Opinions expressed in Tropical Topics are not necessarily those of Stella Martin Wet Tropics Management Agency the Department of Environment and The Editor Heritage (EPA). (For general infomation on the Wet Tropical Topics Tropics World Heritage Area only.) Environmental Protection Agency PO Box 2050 While all efforts have been made to PO Box 2066 CAIRNS QLD 4870 verify facts, the Department of CAIRNS QLD 4870 Ph: (07) 4052 0555 Environment and Heritage (EPA) Fax: (07) 4031 1364 takes no responsibility for the Ph: (07) 4046 6674 Website: www.wettropics.gov.au accuracy of information supplied in Fax: (07) 4046 6751 Tropical Topics. e-mail: [email protected]