Subtropical Antechinus

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iSubtropical Antechinus[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Marsupialia
Order: Dasyuromorphia
Family: Dasyuridae
Genus: Antechinus
Species: A. subtropicus
Binomial name
Antechinus subtropicus
Van Dyck & Crowther, 2000

The Subtropical Antechinus (Antechinus subtropicus) is a species of small carnivorous marsupial of the family Dasyuridae. It was previously thought to be conspecific with the Brown Antechinus (Antechinus stuartii).

The Subtropical Antechinus is found south from Gympie in Queensland, Australia, to the far northeast of New South Wales. It is difficult to distinguish it from its close relatives, but its significant features include a long and narrow muzzle and a generally mid-brown colour. It is the largest of the Brown Antechinus complex. It mainly eats insects and after mating all of the males die of stress-related diseases, like many other species in this family.[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Groves, Colin (16 November 2005). Wilson, D. E., and Reeder, D. M. (eds): Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition, Johns Hopkins University Press, 30. ISBN 0-801-88221-4.
  2. ^ Menkhorst, Peter (2001). A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Oxford University Press, 252.