Olinguito
| Olinguito | |
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| Genus: | Bassaricyon |
| Species: | B. neblina |
The Olinguito (Bassaricyon neblina), is a newly identified mammal of genus Bassaricyon. 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. 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.
Distribution and habitat
Specimens of the species have been identified from the cloud forest stretching from central Colombia to western Ecuador. 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.
References
- ↑ 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.
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