The agile gracile opossum (Gracilinanus agilis), is an opossum species from South America.[1] It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

Agile gracile opossum[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Marsupialia
Order: Didelphimorphia
Family: Didelphidae
Genus: Gracilinanus
Species:
G. agilis
Binomial name
Gracilinanus agilis
(Burmeister, 1854)
Agile gracile opossum range
Gracilinanus agilis in an acuri palm

It is nocturnal, arboreal and frequents the forest understory, where they use slender branches and vines. Found in evergreen and gallery forests. It is a characteristic inhabitant of the gallery forest of southern South America but has broad habitat tolerance. It has been caught under fallen trunks, in tree holes, and in moist woodland. It is reported to be an adept climber, and nests made of vegetation have been found 1.6 m off the ground. One such nest contained seven individuals. In eastern Paraguay it has usually been captured in vegetation but sometimes has been caught on the ground. This marsupial is found throughout the Brazilian cerrado, usually associated with mesic areas such as gallery forests. This mouse opossum is reported to have up to twelve young. Females lack a true pouch, and the teats remain hidden when the female is not lactating.[citation needed] Gracilinanus agilis has a semelparous life cycle.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b Gardner, A.L. (2005). "Order Didelphimorphia". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 6–7. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  2. ^ Carmignotto, A.P.; Solari, S.; de la Sancha, N.; Costa, L. (2015). "Gracilinanus agilis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T9417A22169828. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T9417A22169828.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  3. ^ Lopes, Gabriel P., and Natália O. Leiner. "Semelparity in a population of Gracilinanus agilis (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae) inhabiting the Brazilian cerrado.[dead link]" Mammalian Biology - Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde 80.1 (2015): 1-6.