| Gray short-tailed opossum[1] | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Infraclass: | Marsupialia |
| Order: | Didelphimorphia |
| Family: | Didelphidae |
| Genus: | Monodelphis |
| Species: | M. domestica
|
| Binomial name | |
| Monodelphis domestica (Wagner, 1842)
| |
| |
| Gray short-tailed opossum range | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Monodelphis domesticus | |
The gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica) is a small South American member of the family Didelphidae. Unlike most other marsupials, the gray short-tailed opossum does not have a true pouch. The scientific name Monodelphis is derived from Greek and means "single womb" (referring to the lack of a pouch) and the Latin word domestica which means "domestic" (chosen because of the species' habit of entering human dwellings).[3] It was the first marsupial to have its genome sequenced. The gray short-tailed opossum is used as a research model in science,[4] and is also frequently found in the exotic pet trade. It is also known as the Brazilian opossum, rainforest opossum and in a research setting the laboratory opossum.
- ^ Gardner, A. (2005). Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 14. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
- ^ Flores, D.; de la Sancha, N. (2021). "Monodelphis domestica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T40514A197307682. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T40514A197307682.en.
- ^ Smith, P. "Grey Short-Tailed Opossum" (PDF). Retrieved 18 March 2017.
- ^ "Extraordinary Resources: The Laboratory Opossum". SFBR. Archived from the original on 2007-08-13. Retrieved 2007-04-13.