MacDonnell fat-tailed pouch mouse
| MacDonnell fat-tailed pouch mouse | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systematics | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Pseudantechinus macdonnellensis | ||||||||||||
| ( Spencer , 1896) |
The MacDonnell fat-tailed pouch mouse ( Pseudantechinus macdonnellensis ) is a species of marsupial from the genus of the fat-tailed pouch mouse within the predator family (Dasyuridae).
features
This pouch mouse reaches a head body length of 9.5 to 10.5 centimeters; the length of the tail varies between 7.5 and 8.5 centimeters. The species weighs 20 to 45 grams. The fur is gray-brown on the top and white on the underside. There are red spots behind the ears. The tail can swell strongly at the root and act as a fat store.
distribution and habitat
These animals are common in the highlands of Western Australia and the southern parts of the Northern Territory . Their habitat are rocky desert regions such as the MacDonnell Ranges , where it was discovered and from which the epithet macdonnellensis is derived. The species is listed as harmless (least concern) by the IUCN .
Way of life and reproduction
These pouch mice are mainly nocturnal, during the day they retreat into crevices or broken termite mounds. Sometimes, however, they come out of their shelter to sunbathe during the day. Their diet consists mainly of insects .
After a gestation period of around 45 to 55 days, the female gives birth to five to six young animals. The birth takes place in the Australian winter, in the east of the distribution area between July and September and in the west a little later. The young animals spend the first few weeks of life in their mother's pouch, are weaned at 14 to 16 weeks and are sexually mature towards the end of their first year of life. In contrast to the broad-footed pouch mice , there is no mass death of the males after mating, both sexes can live three to four years old.
Systematics
Pseudantechinus macdonnellensis was described by Walter Baldwin Spencer in 1896 . He assigned it to the genus Phascogale , later it was incorporated into the broad-footed bag mice ( Antechinus ). It has only been listed in its own genus fat-tailed pouch mice ( Pseudantechinus ) since the 1980s , which, according to recent findings, is not even closely related to the broad-footed pouch mice. Some other populations that were previously assigned to this species are now considered to be separate species: P. bilarni , P. mimulus and P. roryi .
literature
- Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .
- DE Wilson and DM Reeder: Mammal Species of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press, 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 .
Web links
- Pseudantechinus macdonnellensis in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2006. Posted by: Australasian Marsupial & Monotreme Specialist Group, 1996. Retrieved on 24 May, 2008.