In the highlands of the Peruvian Andes, a team of researchers had an unexpected encounter during an archaeological expedition. While searching for a rare species of squirrel, their eyes fell upon a small creature with large eyes and reddish fur, a marsupial never observed before.
This discovery dates back to 2018 in Río Abiseo National Park, a preserved area in northern Peru. Scientists led by Silvia Pavan, a biologist at Cal Poly Humboldt, spotted this mammal measuring only 10 centimeters (4 inches) long at an altitude of 2,664 meters (8,740 feet). Its particular appearance with facial markings resembling a mask and its brown-red fur immediately alerted researchers to its exceptional nature. The animal was clearly distinct from known mouse opossums, usually observed at much lower altitudes.
The new marsupial discovered in the Peruvian cloud forest
Credit: Pedro Peloso Several years of meticulous analysis were necessary to confirm the uniqueness of this find. The team compared the DNA and physical characteristics of the specimen with data from museum collections worldwide. These in-depth investigations established that it was indeed a new species for science. The results of this study were published in June in the journal
American Museum Novitates, thus formalizing the existence of this unique marsupial.
The scientific name
Marmosa chachapoya was chosen in homage to the Chachapoya people, an ancient civilization that occupied this region between 800 and 1470 AD. These historical inhabitants, often called "cloud warriors," lived in this rugged and humid terrain of the eastern Andes. Río Abiseo National Park is also home to numerous archaeological sites linked to this culture, while serving as a sanctuary for exceptional biodiversity.
This discovery fits into a broader context of fruitful explorations in this remote region. The research team has identified several other animals potentially new to science, including a semi-aquatic rodent still being described. These successive findings highlight the importance of protected areas like Río Abiseo Park, which hosts unique species like the yellow-tailed woolly monkey, once considered extinct.
The uncovering of
Marmosa chachapoya testifies to the still unknown biological richness of our planet. Silvia Pavan emphasizes that this find reminds us how crucial scientific exploration and conservation of natural habitats remain. While only one specimen has been collected to date, many questions remain regarding the lifestyle habits and geographical distribution of this enigmatic marsupial.
Marsupials: mammals unlike any others
Marsupials represent a distinct branch of mammals characterized by a unique mode of reproduction. Unlike placental mammals that develop their young in a uterus with a placenta, marsupials give birth to very underdeveloped embryos.
These newborns, tiny and blind, must then complete a perilous journey to their mother's ventral pouch, called a marsupium. Once settled in this pouch, they attach to a teat where they continue their development for several weeks or months.
This reproductive strategy offers certain evolutionary advantages. By giving birth to early embryos, the mother significantly reduces the physiological constraints of gestation. This allows her to adapt more easily to changing or difficult environments.
The majority of marsupial species are now found in Australia and America, with iconic representatives like kangaroos, koalas, and opossums. This geographical distribution reflects the evolutionary history of this group that has managed to colonize varied ecological niches.