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The sugar glider (''Petaurus breviceps'') is a small, omnivorous, arboreal, and nocturnal gliding possum belonging to the marsupial infraclass. The common name refers to its preference for sugary nectarous foods and ability to glide through the air, much like a flying squirrel.〔 Due to convergent evolution, they have very similar appearance and habits to the flying squirrel, but are not closely related. The scientific name, ''Petaurus breviceps'', translates from Latin as "short-headed rope-dancer", a reference to their canopy acrobatics.〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=4883 )〕 Sugar gliders are characterised by their gliding membrane, known as the patagium, which extends from their forelegs to hindlegs. Gliding serves as an efficient means of both locating food and evading predators.〔 They are covered in soft, pale grey to brown fur, which is lighter in colour on their underside. The sugar glider is endemic to mainland Australia and New Guinea and its surrounding islands; and was probably introduced to Tasmania in the 1830s.〔 == Taxonomy == The Petaurus genus likely originated during the early-mid Miocene period (18-24 million years ago); and likely dispersed from New Guinea to Australia leading to the evolution of Australian ''Petaurus'' species. The earliest ''Petaurus'' species occurred in Australia 4.46 million years ago; and the sugar glider is the only species endemic to both Australia and New Guinea.〔 The sugar glider is divided into seven sub species; three of which are found in Australia, and four in New Guinea; although there is debate surrounding the current species delineation.〔 These seven subspecies are currently designated by small morphological differences such as colour and body size.〔 However, genetic analysis using mitochondrial DNA indicates that the morphological sub species may not represent genetically unique populations. Contrary to the current geographic distribution of sugar gliders, there are thought to be two genetically distinct populations in Australia that likely arose due to long term geographical isolation following drying of the Australian continent after the Pliocene, and the uplift of the Great Dividing Range.〔 One population is found in coastal NSW and southern Queensland; and the other is found in northern Queensland, inland and southern NSW, Victoria and South Australia.〔 However, further evidence is required to clarify if changes to the current taxonomic divisions are warranted. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Sugar glider」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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