| Agile antechinus[1] | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Infraclass: | Marsupialia |
| Order: | Dasyuromorphia |
| Family: | Dasyuridae |
| Genus: | Antechinus |
| Species: | A. agilis
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| Binomial name | |
| Antechinus agilis Dickman, Parnaby, Crowther & King 1998
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| Agile antechinus range | |
The agile antechinus (Antechinus agilis) is a species of small carnivorous marsupial of the family Dasyuridae. It is found in Australia.
YouTube Encyclopedic
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1/2Views:3 1942 524
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QUT's Black-tailed Antechinus discovery - Channel 7 News Brisbane
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Antechinus lost?
Transcription
NEWS REPORTER, CHANNEL SEVEN: A new species of a mouse-like marsupial has been discovered in the Gold Coast Hinterland. Scientists believe the animal can only be found in a small area of Springbrook, and fear few are left. MICHELLE RATTRAY, NEWS REPORTER CHANNEL SEVEN: In rainforests growing on the remnants of an ancient volcano, a new discovery in the world of science. DR ANDREW BAKER, QUT ECOLOGIST: As soon as we saw it we knew that it’s quite strikingly different. MICHELLE RATTRAY: The Black-tailed Antechinus is a new species. Its close cousin is common is Springbrook, but this marsupial’s markings aren’t the same. DR ANDREW BAKER: We know almost nothing, except they’re genetically different and they look different. MICHELLE RATTRAY: Dr Andrew Baker made the discovery. There are now thirteen species of Antechinus. CERIS ASH, WILDLIFE APPRECIATION GROUP: It’s just amazing that when you send a scientist out there and they go looking, what they can find in Springbrook. MICHELLE RATTRAY: There could be as few as one hundred left. So far three have been trapped in a small area near a popular lookout in a high altitude wet rain forest. MICHELLE RATTRAY: Dr Baker’s breakthrough could be just the beginning. Scientists say it’s likely the rain forest is hiding more undiscovered species. MICHELL RATTRAY: It’s where the blue lamington spiny crayfish is found. The Land Mullet, Australia’s largest type of skink and rare trees that have stood for thousands of years. On the Gold Coast, Michelle Rattray, Seven News.
Taxonomy
The agile antechinus was long considered to be a form of the brown antechinus (Antechinus stuartii), and was only recognised as a distinct species after a study of genetic variation within the brown antechinus in 1980.[3] However, it was not formally described until 1998.
Characteristics
The agile antechinus is nearly indistinguishable from the brown antechinus, but it is slightly smaller and its fur has a more greyish tinge.[4] It feeds mostly on invertebrates, including beetles, spiders and cockroaches, but may also devour small lizards and soft berries. The species has been known to enter torpor in response to shortages of food.[3] Like all antechinuses, the agile antechinus has a short and violent breeding season, after which the males all die.[5] The females give birth after a 27-day gestation.[3] Groups of up to 20 have been known to nest together.[3]
Distribution and habitat
The agile antechinus inhabits wet or moist forest in the southeastern corner of Australia.[4] The species is widely abundant, although it has been reduced in areas due to forest clearing, the instigation of plantations, harvesting, controlled burning and the introduction of the cat and the red fox.[3] Despite these threats, there is no indication that the species is at all threatened.[3]
Gallery
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From John Gould's Mammals of Australia
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Female with offspring inside
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Close-up
References
- ^ Groves, C. P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 29. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. OCLC 62265494.
- ^ Dickman, C.; Lunney, D.; Menkhorst, P. (2016). "Antechinus agilis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T1590A21946586. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T1590A21946586.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f Dickman, C. R. (1995). "Agile Antechinus". In Strahan, Ronald (ed.). The Mammals of Australia. Angus & Robertson. pp. 98–99. ISBN 0-7301-0484-2.
- ^ a b Menkhorst, Peter (2001). A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Oxford University Press. p. 56.
- ^ Shimmin, Glenn A., David A. Taggart, and Peter D. Temple-Smith. "Mating behaviour in the agile antechinus Antechinus agilis (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae)[dead link]." Journal of Zoology 258.1 (2002): 39–48.
External links
This page was last edited on 18 May 2023, at 06:39