Olinguito

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.

Olinguito
Olinguito ZooKeys 324, solo.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
Order:
Family:
Genus:
Bassaricyon
Species:
B. neblina

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

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

The animal is mainly a frugivore, as well as solitary and nocturnal. It produces a single offspring at a time.[2]

Olinguito Media

References

  1. Spanish for “little olingo”
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 O'Brien, Jane 2013. Olinguito: 'Overlooked' mammal carnivore is major discovery. BBC News Science & Environment. [1]
  3. 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.