----- Original Message ----- From: "Anthony Farr" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > BTW are American opossums marsupials? The possums of Oceania definitely > are. > > regards, > Anthony Farr
Yep. Didelphis virginiana (Virginia opossum). note that it is opossum with an "o" unlike the Aussie possum (no "o"). The Virginia opossum is a true marsupial with a well developed pouch. It is the only North American marsupial. There are several in South America, which at one point, was attached to Australia and floating free in the Pacific ocean until they separated and S. America joined N. America via Central America. When this happened, S. American mammals (mostly marsupials) headed north and N. American mammals (mostly placentals) headed south. In the end, the placental mammals faired much better in both regions so there are fewer marsupial in the Americas. (If you believe in that sort of thing, what with plate tectonics, evolution, etc....) Christian
