Didelphis
Genus of marsupials
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Didelphis is a genus of New World marsupials. The six species in the genus Didelphis, commonly known as Large American opossums, are members of the opossum order, Didelphimorphia.
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| Large American opossums[1] | |
|---|---|
| |
| The white-eared opossum, Didelphis albiventris, lives in South America. | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Infraclass: | Marsupialia |
| Order: | Didelphimorphia |
| Family: | Didelphidae |
| Subfamily: | Didelphinae |
| Tribe: | Didelphini |
| Genus: | Didelphis Linnaeus, 1758 |
| Type species | |
| Didelphis marsupialis | |
| Species | |
| |
 | |
The genus Didelphis is composed of cat-sized omnivorous species, which can be recognized by their prehensile tails and their tendency to feign death when cornered. The largest species, the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), is the only marsupial to be found north of Mexico.
The Virginia opossum has opposable toes on their two back feet.
One of the synapomorphies of this genus is the hypertrophied spinous processes of the cervical vertebrae, which also interlock. As a result, this prevents any movement of the neck. The purpose of this is not yet fully understood.[2]
Human interaction
Due to frequent interaction between human populations, Didelphis have potential risks[3] and benefits. Disease is commonly carried amongst the species which poses threats to humans, pets, and livestock who come in contact with didelphis. A study argues otherwise however as in various regions of Brazil Didelphis marsupialis is commonly consumed for protein and it's medicinal benefits used to treat disease.[4]
Phylogeny
Cladogram of living large American opossums, the genus Didelphis:[5][6]
Species
| Image | Scientific name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|
_(3453285470).jpg) | Didelphis albiventris | Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay |
 | Didelphis aurita | Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. |
 |
Didelphis imperfecta | Brazil, Suriname, French Guiana and Venezuela. |
 | Didelphis marsupialis | northeast of Mexico to Bolivia to the central coast of Peru, including Trinidad and Tobago |
 | Didelphis pernigra | Venezuela to Bolivia |
 | Didelphis virginiana | Central America and North America from Costa Rica to southern Ontario |
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