The Tasmanian brush opossum: its distribution and colour variation

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken with the object of inquiring into the significance of the colour variations of the Tasmanian Brush Opossum, Trichosurus vulpecula fuliginosus Ogilby. The main investigation has not proceeded very far, and it is clear that elucidation of the genetical aspect of the problem will entail several years of experimental work. In the present paper the results of the preliminary inquiry are put on record, since they throw light upon the distribution and relative abundance of the two principal colour groups of T. v. fuliginosus.