D. Virginiana (Didelphis Marsupialis) Essay -- Biology Animals Researc

D. Virginiana (genus Didelphis Marsupialis) The text of this motif will cover a verbal description of D. virginiana, its ecology, history, and research involving the species. The first topic to be discussed by this paper is a description of D. virginiana, which was until recently referred to as Didelphis marsupialis. The description of the opossum will start with a taxonomic description of the species. Following, will be the opossums appearance, and decision will be the behavior cycle of the noted species. The opossum, Didelphis virginiana, takes its call from devil different languages. The name Didelphis is made up of the two Greek words di, and delphys which stand for two wombs referring to the female opossums paired reproductive tract. The name virginiana, averages of Virginia in its Latinized form. This refers to the where the first scientific specimen was entrap and catalogued (The Georgia). The taxonomic classification of the opossu m is as follows Domain Eukarya Kingdom kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Marsupialia Family Didelphidae Genus Didelphis Species Virginiana (Savage 45). The appearance of D. virginiana is quite unique. It has a length of approximately 650 900 millimeters (25.4 35.1 inches), and a lading of approximately 1.8 4.5 kilograms (4 10 pounds) (Yahner 11). The opossum has a gray, or black, hair twist scheme, with a scaly prehensile tail (Merritt 33). The forefeet and hind feet both build five clawed toes. However, the hind big toe is opposable and resembles a thumb (Merritt 35). The opossum, being a marsupial, also has a pouch (Yahner 11). The life cycle of Didelphis virginiana is quite interesting, ... ...bdominal cavities of the given marsupials, and enclosing them in pens at a constant temperature, the researchers were able to get more exact dream up body temperatures for the marsupials. They were also able to find the circadian , or twenty-four hour, rhythms in the body temperatures of the marsupials. The mean body temperature for D. virginiana was found to be 35.1 degrees Celsius, with a go astray from 33.8 to 36.3 degrees Celsius. The lower range of the temperature was found to be during the day. The results for D. virginiana were similar to previous calculations of mean body temperature. The data from this study was compared to eutharian mammals, which showed similar differences among their species (Gemmell). In conclusion, the text of this paper has covered a description of D. virginiana, its ecology, history, and research involving the species.