Subtropical broad-footed pouch mouse
| Subtropical broad-footed pouch mouse | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Antechinus subtropicus | ||||||||||||
| Van Dyck & Crowther , 2000 |
The subtropical broad- footed pouch mouse ( Antechinus subtropicus ) is a species of marsupial mammal that is found in southeastern Queensland and northeastern New South Wales from Gympie in the north to Dorrigo National Park in the south. It was not scientifically described until 2000 and was previously thought to be specific to the Stuart broad-footed pouch ( Antechinus stuartii ).
features
The males of the subtropical broad-footed pouch mouse have a head-trunk length of 9.5 to 13.6 cm, a 8.8 to 10.6 cm long tail and weigh 18 to 78 g. Females stay significantly smaller with head and torso lengths of 8.1 to 11.2 cm, tail lengths of 6.4 to 9.6 cm and a weight of 16 to 33.1 g. In terms of coloration and skull morphology, the subtropical broad-foot bag mouse is very similar to the Stuart broad-foot bag mouse, but is usually somewhat larger and heavier, has a larger skull and is more uniformly colored brown, while the upper side of the Stuart broad-foot bag mouse is gray-brown. The females of the subtropical broad-footed pouch have eight teats in the pouch.
Habitat and way of life
Subtropical broad- footed pouches are usually nocturnal and live from sea level up to heights of 1000 meters in subtropical forests that are densely overgrown with lianas , creepers and epiphytes ("Notophyll vine forest"). On the edge of the forest Liane they prefer dense with pioneer plants such as lantana ( Lantana camara ), Rubus sp., Homalanthus sp., Riesenblättrigem arrow leaf ( Alocasia macrorrhizos ), young palm trees or bracken Pteridium esculentum overgrown areas. In the entire habitat of the subtropical broad-footed pouch mouse, the annual rainfall is over 2000 mm. The species feeds on insects, spiders, amphipods and possibly small vertebrates as well. A large male kept in human care killed and ate an adult house mouse ( Mus musculus ). The animals also invade houses to eat meat and animal feed. They themselves often become victims of domestic cats. Subtropical broad-footed pouch mice mate in September and October. After a gestation period of 25 to 26 days, 7 to 8 boys are born, which remain in the bag for about 5 weeks and are weaned at 3 months of age. All males die shortly after mating and most females die soon after their young become independent.
Danger
The IUCN lists the subtropical broad-footed pouch mouse as ( Least Concern ) at low risk. In the greater part of their range, the animals are relatively common, but south of Brisbane they are rather rare. Subtropical broad-footed pouch mice have never been detected in various national parks in the distribution area.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d Andrew Baker: Family Dasyuridae (Carnivorous Marsupials). in Don E. Wilson , Russell A. Mittermeier : Handbook of the Mammals of the World - Volume 5. Monotremes and Marsupials. Lynx Editions, 2015, ISBN 978-84-96553-99-6 , page 318.
- ↑ Antechinus subtropicus in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013.1. Listed by: Burnett, S. & Dickman, C, 2008. Retrieved September 21, 2013.