AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS Flannery, Tim F., 1987. A new species of Phalanger (Phalangeridae: Marsupialia) from montane western Papua New Guinea. Records of the Australian Museum 39(4): 183–193. [30 September 1987]. doi:10.3853/j.0067-1975.39.1987.169 ISSN 0067-1975 Published by the Australian Museum, Sydney naturenature cultureculture discover discover AustralianAustralian Museum Museum science science is is freely freely accessible accessible online online at at www.australianmuseum.net.au/publications/www.australianmuseum.net.au/publications/ 66 CollegeCollege Street,Street, SydneySydney NSWNSW 2010,2010, AustraliaAustralia Records of the Australian Museum (1987) Vo!. 39: 183-193. ISSN 0067 1975 183 A New Species of Phalanger (Phalangeridae: Marsupialia) from Montane Western Papua New Guinea TIM FLANNERY Australian Museum P.G. Box A285, Sydney South, NSW 2000, Australia ABSTRACT. Phalanger matanim n.sp. is a plesiomorphic species of Phalanger, thus far known from only three specimens taken in the Telefomin area at altitudes between 1,550 and 2,600 m. Retention of a well-developed preparacrista on M2/, the presence of small simple molars, and having the periotic visible on the external basicranium in P. matanim are plesiomorphic features not otherwise seen in combination in the genus Phalanger. Although convergent with the other montane Phalanger species (P. vestitus, P. carmelitae and P. interpositus) in several external morphological features, P. matanim does not appear to be closely related to this group. At the upper limit of its altitudinal range, Phalanger matanim is sympatric with P. vestitus and S. leucippus, and at the lower end with these species and also P. interpositus and P. carmelitae. FLANNERY. TIM. 1987. A new species of Phalanger(Phalangeridae: Marsupialia) from Montane Western Papua New Guinea. Records of the Australian Museum 39(4): 183-193 Between 1984 and 1987 the author conducted a taxonomy for phalangerid species followed here is survey of the mammals of southern West Sepik that of George (in press), while Flannery et al. (in Province, Papua New Guinea (Fig. 1). Previously, press) is followed for supraspecific groupings. the mammal fauna of this region was very poorly sampled, and in the course of the work several Materials and Methods undescribed species were encountered. This work is intended as the first in a series of publications Colours, where capitalised, follow Ridgeway dealing with the results of this survey. The first (1886), and dental nomenclature follows Archer specimen of the new Phalangerwas collected during (1976, 1978). AM M is the prefix for Australian the 1985 field season, at a locality where four Museum mammal specimens, CM is the prefix for addi tional phalangerid species (Strigocuscus Australian National Wildlife Collection specimens, leucippus, Phalanger vestitus, P. carmelitae and P. DW is the prefix for Papua New Guinea Division of interpositus) occur sympatrically. At first, it was Wildlife mammal specimens (which will ultimately thought that the specimen could have been a hybrid be housed in the PNG Museum), WSP = West Sepik between two of these species, but further research Province, ESP =East Sepik Province, MBP = Milne and the discovery of two additional specimens has Bay Province, NP = Northern Province, CP = shown that the material indeed represents a distinct Central Province, WHP = Western Highlands and, until now, undescribed species of Phalanger. Province. Measurements were taken using vernier The taxonomy of the genus Phalanger has, until calipers, and weights and measurements were taken recently, been in a state of confusion. In the past on freshly dead specimens in the field. Appendix 1 many forms have been named and then lists the phalangerid specimens (other than P. synonymised without close examination. The matanim) examined during this study. 184 Records of the Australian Museum 39 SYSTEMATICS Etymology. Matanim is the Telefol name for Phalangeridae, Thomas, 1888 this species. This species is named in honour ofthe Phalangerinae Thomas, 1888 people of the Telefomin Valley, whose unceasing Phalanger Storr, 1780 goodwill and assistance allowed me to complete my mammal survey of their homeland. Diagnosis. Phalanger matanim n.sp. can be Phaianger matanim n.sp. distinguished from all other species of Phalanger in Figs 2-4, Table 1 possessing the following features: molars smaller and narrower (Figs 2-6); M21 with well-developed Holotype and type locality. AM M 14186, puppet skin preparacrista that connects with parastyle with skull and dentaries, with P3-M5 erupted, of a (occasionally also seen in P. orientalis); nasals subadult male. Collected by T. Flannery, upper Sol River wedged deeply into frontals in a pattern that is Valley, Telefomin area, West Sepik Province, Papua New unique within the genus (Figs 2,4); nasals narrower Guinea, 5°06'S 141°42'E, 2,600 m, 1 April 1986. Papua New Guinea topographic survey sheet 1-100,000 series, relative to maximum interorbital width than in any No.7282 (Telefomin, see Fig. 1). other member of the genus (Figs 7-8). Paratypes. AM M 14702, puppet skin and skull of an In addition, P. matanim differs from its cogeners adult male, collected by T. Flannery, Nong River Valley, in the following ways: lacking the spotted pelage, 5° II'S 14n5'E, 1,550 m, 9 July 1985, (Fig. 4). DW 8393, and the anterolingual cingulae of the upper molars puppet skin and skull of adult female, collected by F. as seen in P. lullulae; C11 much shorter than that of Kinbag & L. Seri, Tifalmin, 5°08'S 141 °3I'E, 1,600-1,800 P. orientalis and the sexes are similarly coloured and m, 18 Aug 1984 (Fig. 4). similar in size; dorsal stripe broader and more ill- Telefulip• 05·10' 141·45' 1-1--+-+----+- ..........----<1 km o 5 Fig. 1. Map showing the Telefomin Valley and localities where P. matanim has been captured. Flannery: New species of Phalanger 185 Fig. 2. Skull of the holotype of Phalanger matanim (AM M 14186) in A, dorsal, B, ventral (both stereo pairs) and C, lateral view. D, dentary of above in occlusal (stereopair) and E, lateral view. 186 Records of the Australian Museum 39 Fig. 3. Puppet skin of the holotype of Phalanger matanim (AM M14186) in A, dorsal and B, ventral views. Flannery: New species of Phalanger 187 defined, and fur longer and laxer than in P. a fissure placed just lingual to protocone. Several orientalis; ears much shorter than those of P. ridgelets and cuspules visible between this structure interpositus and P. orientalis; tail much shorter and paracone. Midlink interrupted at its lowest relative to head-body length than in P. carmelitae point by a fissure. It is a simple structure, arising (see Tables 1-2); external surface of ear almost from protocone and hypocone apices, the two naked, especially around margin, in strong contrast sections almost meeting in the interloph valley to densely furred ears of P. vestitus, P. carmelitae slightly buccal of these conids. Slight kink, and P. interpositus; greyish colouration and broad suggestive of presence of reduced stylar cusp, in dark dorsal stripe differ markedly from black posterior end of postparacrista, and larger stylar (dorsum) and white (venter) colouration seen in P. cusp immediately posterior to this, blocking buccal vestitus and P. carmelitae; basal part of naked end of interloph valley. Slight bulge in premetacrista portion of tail much more strongly tuberculated in suggests presence of a third stylar cusp. Hypoloph male of P. matanim than in P. vestitus and P. better developed than protoloph, and is interpositus. uninterrupted by fissures. Posterior cingulum V-shaped, composed of well-developed posthypocrista and weaker postmetacrista. No evidence of stylar cusp posterior to metacone, a Description structure usually present in Phalanger species. Lophs subequal in width. Skull and dentition. Skull of holotype has P31 M31 differs from M21 in the following ways: and M2-S1 erupted but little worn. Thus, although parastyle and all suggestions of stylar cusps absent; the animal was not sexually mature, full adult preparacrista forms much broader arc, enclosing dentition was in place. V-shaped basin similar in morphology to that III projects below level of 121 to approximately enclosed by posterior cingulum; protoloph slightly same extent as does ClI, and differs little in wider than hypoloph. morphology from III in other species of Phalanger. M41 differs from M31 in the following ways: 121 subovate in occlusal outline, and much larger smaller, hypoloph relatively narrower, and basin than either III or 13/. 131 tiny with long axis parallel enclosed by posterior cingulum deeper. to that of 121. ClI short and abuts 131; similar in MSI differs from M41 in the following ways: no morphology to that of other montane Phalanger hypoloph, and protoloph poorly developed; small species. If I does not differ in morphology from that cingulum present at base of posterolingual corner of of other phalangerids. tooth; MSI much smaller than M4/; posterior P 11 short and caniniform; single rooted but has moiety relatively narrower. very slight posterior expansion at its base. P21 M!2 of P. matanim a narrow, elongate tooth. miniscule; situated just anterior and slightly medial Trigonid in particular extremely narrow. to P3/. Long axis of P31 only slightly deflected Paracristid straight and elongate. Slight change in outwards relative to long axis of molar row; this slope in its anterior section suggests the presence of a orientation being closer to that of a species of paraconid. Poorly developed and lower metaconid Spilocuscus than Phalanger; sub ovate in occlusal lingual to tall protoconid. No sign of protostylid, outline; occlusal edge ornamented by three small although slight groove on rear face of trigonid cuspules. Anterior, buccal and lingual ridgelets present where the protostylid is separated from the extend towards crown base from anteriormost protoconid in other phalangerid species. Cristid cuspule, and much shorter buccal and lingual obliqua poorly developed with only slight ridgelets extend likewise from the more posteriorly suggestion of a kink anterior to hypoconid.