New species of possum discovered
ABC Online 6/5/2002
A new species of possum has been discovered in Australia.
Researchers at the Australian National University have discovered that the mountain
bushtail possum, which is found from Victoria through to the central coast of Queensland,
is in fact two separate species.
Dr David Lindenmayer from the Centre for Resources and Environment Studies says the Blue
Mountains in New South Wales form a natural barrier between the two species.
The southern species retains its original name but the northern species has been renamed
the short eared possum.
Dr Lindenmayer says the differences are obvious.
"The southern animals have much longer ears, much longer feet, much shorter tail and
their faces are quite different to look at compared to the northern one," he said.
"So there's some very distinctive differences and genetically they're very distinct
as well."
END
OF REPORT
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