Mulgara

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For the software, see Mulgara (software).
Mulgaras[1]
Crest-tailed Mulgara (Dasycercus cristicauda)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Marsupialia
Order: Dasyuromorphia
Family: Dasyuridae
Subfamily: Dasyurinae
Tribe: Dasyurini
Genus: Dasycercus
Peters, 1875
Type species
Chaetocercus cristicauda
Krefft, 1867
Species
  • D. blythi
  • D. cristicauda

Mulgaras are the two species in the genus Dasycercus.[2] They are marsupial carnivores, closely related to the Tasmanian Devil and the quolls, that live in deserts and spinifex bush of central Australia. They are 12.5–22 cm long with a 7–13 cm tail. They are nocturnal but occasionally "sunbathe" in the entrance of the burrow they dwell in. They tend to stay in places that have been in shadow. Their kidneys are highly developed to excrete extremely concentrated urine to preserve water, as the animals never drink. They feed mostly on insects, but also eat lizards and newborn snakes. They breed from June-September and have litters of 6-7 young. The pouch comprises two lateral folds of skin.

The genus once contained other species, but they were moved to other genera, leaving only D. cristicauda. Recent research has shown that there are two distinct species, which are very similar. The Brush-tailed Mulgara (D. blythi), synonymous with D. hilleri, has a non-crested tail, two upper premolars, and six nipples. The Crest-tailed Mulgara (D. cristicauda) has a crested tail, three upper premolars, and eight nipples.[3]

Much is still to be learned about the mulgaras, such as their social behaviour.

The generic name Dasycercus means "hairy-tail."[4]

See also

  • Angas Downs Indigenous Protected Area

References

  1. ↑ Groves, C. P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M, eds. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 24. OCLC 62265494. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. 
  2. ↑ Chris Pavey, Jeff Cole, John Woinarski (2005). "THREATENED SPECIES OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY BRUSH-TAILED MULGARA" (PDF). Parks and Wildlife Commission, Northern Territory. 
  3. ↑ Woolley, P.A. (2005). "The species of Dasycercus Peters, 1875 (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae)" (PDF). Memoirs of Museum Victoria 62 (2): 213–221. 
  4. ↑ Woolley, P.A. (1995). "Mulgara". In Ronald Strahan. The Mammals of Australia. Reed Books. pp. 55–56. 
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