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 | |
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| Genus: | Bassaricyon
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| Species: | B. neblina
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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
Bassaricyon neblina, illustrated by Nancy Halliday, 2013
Distribution of sampled Bassaricyon neblina subspecies
References
- ↑ Spanish for “little olingo”
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 O'Brien, Jane 2013. Olinguito: 'Overlooked' mammal carnivore is major discovery. BBC News Science & Environment. [1]
- ↑ 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.