Editing Feathertail glider

{{Short description|Species of mammal (Acrobates pygmaeus; marsupial)}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Feathertail glider<ref name="msw3">{{MSW3 Groves|pages=56}}</ref>
| image = Acrobates neuneu.jpg
| image_upright = 0.8
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Dickman, C. |author2=McKenzie, N. |author3=Menkhorst, P. |name-list-style=amp |year=2016 |title=''Acrobates pygmaeus'' |page=e.T40584A21963834 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T40584A21963834.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
| genus = Acrobates
| parent_authority = [[Anselme Gaëtan Desmarest|Desmarest]], 1818
| species = pygmaeus
| authority = ([[George Shaw (biologist)|Shaw]], 1793)
| range_map = Feathertail Glider IUCN Range.png
| range_map_caption = Distribution of the feathertail glider
}}
[[File:Acrobates pygmaeus 2.jpg|thumb|''Acrobates pygmaeus'']]

The '''feathertail glider''' ('''''Acrobates pygmaeus'''''), also known as the '''pygmy gliding possum''', '''pygmy glider''', '''pygmy phalanger''', '''flying phalanger''' and '''flying mouse''',<ref>{{cite mdd| title = ''Acrobates pygmaeus'' (G. Shaw, 1794) | id=1000332 | access-date = 2007-02-16}}</ref> is a species of marsupial native to eastern Australia. It is the world's smallest gliding mammal and is named for its long feather-shaped tail.

A second species, the broad-toed feathertail glider (''Acrobates (Dromicia) frontalis'', De Vis 1887) is recognised by some authors<ref name="Harris2015" /> based on unpublished genetic studies and cryptic morphological differences in toe and tail characteristics. With this recognition, it is suggested that ''Acrobates pygmaeus'' takes the common name '''narrow-toed feathertail glider'''.

==Description==
At just {{convert|6.5–8|cm|abbr=on}} in head-and-body length<ref name="ADW">{{cite web | url= http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/acrobates_pygmaeus/ | title= ''Acrobates pygmaeus'' feathertail glider | last1= Shiroff | first1= A. |date= 1999 | website= Animal Diversity Web | access-date= 1 May 2016}}</ref> and weighing about {{cvt|12|g|frac=8}}, the feathertail glider is only around the size of a small mouse, and is the world's smallest gliding mammal.<ref name="Harris2015" /> The fur is soft and silky, and is a uniform greyish brown on the upper body, and white on the underside. There are rings of dark fur around the eyes, the [[rhinarium]] is hairless and deeply cleft, and the ears are moderately large and rounded. The glider also has an unusually large number of [[whiskers]], sprouting from the snout and cheeks, and from the base of each ear.<ref name="Harris2015">{{cite journal | author = Harris, J.M. | date = July 2015 | title = ''Acrobates pygmaeus'' (Diprotodontia: Acrobatidae) | journal = Mammalian Species | volume = 47 | issue = 920 | pages = 32–44 | doi = 10.1093/mspecies/sev003| doi-access = free }}</ref>

Like other gliding mammals, the feathertail glider has a [[patagium]] stretching between the fore and hind legs. Only reaching the elbows and knees, this is smaller than that of the [[Petauridae|petaurid gliding possums]], although the presence of a fringe of long hairs increases its effective area. The tail is about the same length as the head and body combined, oval in cross-section, only slightly prehensile, and has very short fur except for two distinctive rows of long, stiff hairs on either side. This gives the tail the appearance of a feather or a double-sided comb. The hindfeet possess enlarged, opposable [[hallux|first digits]], which unlike all the other toes on both fore and hind feet, lack claws.<ref name="Harris2015" />

The tongue is long and thin, reaching as much as {{cvt|11|mm}}, and has numerous long [[lingual papilla|papilla]]e that give it a brush-like appearance. This improves the animal's ability to collect [[pollen]] and consume semi-liquid food.<ref name="Jackowiak2007">{{cite journal |author1=Jackowiak, H. |author2=Godynicki, S. | date = October 2007 | title = Light and scanning electron microscopic study on the structure of the lingual papillae of the feathertail glider (''Acrobates pygmeus'', Burramyidae, Marsupialia) | journal = The Anatomical Record | volume = 290 | issue = 11 | pages = 1355–1365 | doi = 10.1002/ar.20606|pmid=17929291 |s2cid=20355244 }}</ref> The structure of the ear is also unusual, since the animal possesses a unique bony disc with a narrow crescent-shaped slit just in front of the [[eardrum]]. The function of this bone is unclear, but it may act as a [[Helmholtz resonance|Helmholtz resonator]] and enhance sensitivity to certain frequencies of sound.<ref name="Aitkin1989">{{cite journal |author1=Aitken, L.M. |author2=Nelson, J.E. | date = 1989 | title = Peripheral and central auditory specialization in a gliding marsupial, the feathertail glider, ''Acrobates pygmaeus'' | journal = Brain, Behavior and Evolution | volume = 33 | issue = 6 | pages = 325–333 | doi = 10.1159/000115940|pmid=2765851 }}</ref> The brain has been recorded as weighing {{convert|360|mg|oz}}.<ref name="Harris2015" />

The female has two [[vagina]]e, which merge into a single sinus before opening into a [[cloaca]] together with the rectum. The pouch opens towards the front, as is common in [[diprotodont]] marsupials, and contains four teats.<ref name="Harris2015" />

==Distribution and habitat==
Feathertail gliders are found across the eastern seaboard of continental Australia, from northern [[Queensland]] to [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] and extreme south-eastern [[South Australia]].<ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021" /> There are no recognised subspecies. They inhabit a wide range of forest types across the region, from sea level to at least {{convert|1200|m|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Harris2015" /> Fossils belonging to the genus ''Acrobates'' have been identified from deposits in Queensland dating back to 0.5 million years ago, during the late [[Pleistocene]].<ref name="Hocknull2007">{{cite journal | author = Hocknull, S.A. | date = December 2007 | title = Responses of Quaternary rainforest vertebrates to climate change in Australia | journal = Earth and Planetary Science Letters | volume = 264 | issue = 1–2 | pages = 317–331 | doi = 10.1016/j.epsl.2007.10.004|display-authors=etal | bibcode=2007E&PSL.264..317H}}</ref>

==Behaviour and biology==
[[File:Feathertail glider, Acrobates pygmaeus (Tony Rees photograph).jpg|thumb|Feathertail glider, ''Acrobates pygmaeus'', showing the animal's size and its distinctive tail with a "feathered" appearance]]
Feathertail gliders are omnivorous, feeding on [[nectar]], pollen, and [[arthropods]] such as moths, ants, and termites. They are arboreal, and although they do occasionally descend to the ground to forage, they spend as much as 87% of their time over {{cvt|15|m|-1}} above the ground, particularly in [[eucalyptus]] trees. They are nocturnal, spending the day resting in nests in tree hollows, lined with leaves or shredded bark.<ref name="Lindenmayer1991">{{cite journal | author = Lindenmayer, D.B. | date = 1991 | title = Aspects of the use of den trees by arboreal and scansorial marsupials inhabiting montane ash forests in Victoria | journal = Australian Journal of Zoology | volume = 39 | issue = 1 | pages = 57–65 | doi = 10.1071/ZO9910057 |display-authors=etal}}</ref> They are social animals, and up to five may share a single nest, especially during the breeding season.<ref name="Ward1990">{{cite journal | author = Ward, S.J. | date = 1990 | title = life-history of the feathertail glider, ''Acrobates pygmaeus'' (Acrobatidae, Marsupialia) in south-eastern Australia | journal = Australian Journal of Zoology | volume = 38 | issue = 5 | pages = 503–517 | doi = 10.1071/zo9900503}}</ref>

They are highly adept climbers, able to cling to the smooth trunks of eucalyptus trees. In experiments, they have even proved able to climb vertical panes of glass, a feat that is due to a combination of fine skin ridges and sweat that allow their feet to function as suction cups.<ref name="Rosenberg1999">{{cite journal |author1=Rosenberg, H.I. |author2= Rose, R. |name-list-style=amp | date = 1999 | title = Volar adhesive pads of the feathertail glider, ''Acrobates pygmaeus'' (Marsupialia; Acrobatidae) | journal = Canadian Journal of Zoology | volume = 77 | issue = 2 | pages = 233–248 | doi = 10.1139/z98-212}}</ref> Movement through the trees is aided by their gliding ability; they are able to glide as far as {{convert|28|m|abbr=on}}, and typically do so three to five times every hour through the night.

Feathertail gliders do not hibernate as such, but are capable of entering [[torpor]] during cold weather at any time of the year. Torpor can last for several days, during which time the animal's body temperature can drop to as low as {{convert|2|°C|abbr=on}} and oxygen consumption to just 1% of normal.<ref name="Harris2015" /> Torpid gliders curl into a ball, wrapping their tail around themselves and folding their ears flat, and often huddling together with up to four other individuals to reduce heat loss<ref name="Fleming1985">{{cite journal | author = Fleming, M.R. | date = 1985 | title = The thermal physiology of the feathertail glider, ''Acrobates pygmaeus'' (Marsupialia:Burramyidae) | journal = Australian Journal of Zoology | volume = 33 | issue = 5 | pages = 667–681 | doi = 10.1071/ZO9850667}}</ref> and conserve energy.<ref name="Nowack2015">{{cite journal |author1=Nowack, J. |author2=Geiser, F. | date = 2015 | title = Friends with benefits: the role of huddling in mixed groups of torpid and normothermic animals | journal = Journal of Experimental Biology | doi = 10.1242/jeb.128926 | volume=219 |issue=4 | pages=590–596 | pmid=26685170| doi-access=free }}</ref>

The breeding season lasts from July to January in Victoria, and may be longer further to the north.<ref name="Harris2015" /> Females typically give birth to two litters of up to four young in a season, and are able to mate again shortly after the first litter is born. The second litter then enters [[embryonic diapause]], and is not born until the first litter has finished [[weaning]] at about 105 days.<ref name="Ward1988">{{cite journal |author1=Ward, S.J. |author2=Renfree, M.B. | date = October 1988 | title = Reproduction in females of the feathertail glider ''Acrobates pygmaeus'' (Marsupialia) | journal = Journal of Zoology | volume = 216 | issue = 2 | pages = 225–239 | doi = 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1988.tb02427.x}}</ref> Multiple paternity is common, even within litters, as the females are sexually promiscuous.<ref name="Parrott2004">{{cite journal |author1=Parrott, M.L. |author2=Ward, S.J. |author3= Taggart, D.A. |name-list-style=amp | date = April 2005 | title = Multiple paternity and communal maternal care in the feathertail glider (''Acrobates pygmaeus'') | journal = Australian Journal of Zoology | volume = 53 | issue = 2 | pages = 79–85 | doi = 10.1071/ZO04025}}</ref> The young remain in the pouch for the first 65 days of life,<ref name="Ward1990" /> and the maximum lifespan is about five years.<ref name="Harris2015" />

==In captivity==
[[Taronga Zoo]] (Sydney, Australia) was the first zoo to breed feathertail gliders in captivity. The [[Old Zoo (Poznan)|New Zoo in Poznań]], Poland, was first European zoo to begin exhibiting feather-tail gliders in 1999 (their animals originated from Taronga Zoo stock). Some of the feathertail gliders born in Poznań have been sent to other European zoos, meaning that the entire European captive population is of Poznań descent.<ref>{{cite news |last=Russo  |first= Naomi |date=29 June 2015 |title=Successful breeding of the world's smallest gliders |url=https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/news/2015/06/successful-breeding-of-seven-of-the-worlds-smallest-gliders/ |work=Australian Geographic |location= |access-date=13 January 2023}}</ref>

==In culture==
A feathertail glider was featured on the [[obverse and reverse|reverse]] of the [[Australian one-cent coin|Australian 1-cent coin]] until 1991 when the 1-cent denomination was discontinued.<ref>{{cite web | title = The Feathertail Glider | url = http://www.australianstamp.com/Coin-web/feature/nature/feather.htm | access-date = 2007-02-16 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070220065439/http://www.australianstamp.com/Coin-web/feature/nature/feather.htm | archive-date = 2007-02-20 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071019130522/http://www.wildlife.org.au/wildlife-gliders.php?page=w-gliders-feathertail.html Photos and information about the feathertail glider]&nbsp;— [[Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland]]
*[https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/acrobates_pygmaeus/ Information about the feathertail glider]&nbsp;— University of Michigan Museum of Zoology

{{Diprotodontia|P.1}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q613177}}

[[Category:Mammals described in 1793]]
[[Category:Gliding possums]]
[[Category:Mammals of New South Wales]]
[[Category:Mammals of Queensland]]
[[Category:Mammals of South Australia]]
[[Category:Mammals of Victoria (state)]]
[[Category:Taxa named by George Shaw]]