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Taxa

Didelphimorphia

Mammal Orders

Didelphimorphia is the order of marsupials containing the opossums, 126 species in 18 genera and the largest order of marsupials in the Western Hemisphere. Opossums originated in South America and spread into North America after the two continents connected in the Great American Interchange late in the Cenozoic, and they are found only in the Americas.

Facts
Taxonomic Rank
Order 2
Member Count Band
100 to 1000 Species 3
Era First Appeared
Cretaceous 4
Classification
Living or Extinct
Yes 1
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Sources
1. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ6584653, descriptionView the Source
2. Wikipedia: Opossum
Wikipedia
  • Introduction
    Opossums () are members of the marsupial order Didelphimorphia () endemic to the Americas.
  • In Group: Marsupial Orders, Lead
    Opossums () are members of the marsupial order Didelphimorphia () endemic to the Americas.
View the Source
3. Catalogue of Life (ChecklistBank): Taxon metrics for Didelphimorphia
Catalogue of Life (ChecklistBank)Taxon metrics, speciesExtantCount
Quote, Taxon metrics, speciesExtantCount
"speciesExtantCount": 121
View the Source
4. Paleobiology Database: Taxon record for Didelphimorphia
Paleobiology DatabaseTaxon record, first appearance (firstapp_max_ma, early_interval)
Quote, Taxon record, first appearance (firstapp_max_ma, early_interval)
"taxon_name": "Didelphimorphia" ... "firstapp_max_ma": 100.5 ... "early_interval": "Cenomanian"
View the Source
Wikidata: Didelphimorphia
Wikidata Q21834, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source
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