[2] It would later be elevated to species by German zoologist Paul Matschie in 1916,[5] before being considered a subspecies of Philander opossum again in 1924 by Gerrit Smith Miller, Jr.[6] It would remain at subspecific status until 2018, when an analysis of the cytochrome b, nucDNA, and physical characteristics warranted species status again.

[7] In 2020 it was found that the name pallidus was preoccupied by a subspecies of Derby's woolly opossum.

[1][7][9] These species are relatively light-furred for a Philander, with gray colors throughout the back, neck, base of the tail, and outer side of the limbs.

The undersides are a yellowish color, extending onto the bottom of the jaw, the cheeks, and in front of the ears.

[4] When compared to P. melanurus, the closest species genetically and geographically, it tends to be lighter and have more white on the tail.