Olinguito
| Olinguito | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | Bassaricyon |
| Species: | B. neblina |
The Olinguito (Bassaricyon neblina),[1] is a newly identified mammal of genus Bassaricyon.[2] It is part of the Procyonidae family which also include raccoons.
Its discovery was announced on 15 August 2013 by the curator of mammals at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.[3] The curator discovered specimens of the species in storage at the Field Museum of Natural History and used DNA testing to confirm a new species.[2]
Distribution and habitat
[change | change source]Specimens of the species have been identified from the cloud forest stretching from central Colombia to western Ecuador.[2] Four subspecies of the olinguito have been described.
Ecology and behaviour
[change | change source]The animal is mainly a frugivore, as well as solitary and nocturnal. It produces a single offspring at a time.[2]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ Spanish for “little olingo”
- 1 2 3 4 O'Brien, Jane 2013. Olinguito: 'Overlooked' mammal carnivore is major discovery. BBC News Science & Environment.
- ↑ Stromberg, Joseph 2013. "For the First Time in 35 Years, A New Carnivorous Mammal Species is Discovered in the Americas". Smithsonian Magazine. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)