Eastern bettong

Eastern bettong[1]
Conservation status
Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)[2]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Infraclass:	Marsupialia
Order:	Diprotodontia
Family:	Potoroidae
Genus:	Bettongia
Species:	B. gaimardi
Binomial name
Bettongia gaimardi (Desmarest, 1822)
Subspecies
Bettongia gaimardi cuniculus †Bettongia gaimardi gaimardi
Present distribution of Bettongia gaimardi

The eastern bettong (Bettongia gaimardi), also known as the southern bettong and Tasmanian bettong, is a bettong whose natural range includes southeastern Australia and eastern Tasmania.^[1][3]

Subspecies

Two formerly recognised species, Bettongia cuniculus (Tasmanian bettong) and Bettongia gaimardi (eastern bettong), were placed into a single species with two subspecies by Wakefield in 1967:^[4][5]

• B. g. gaimardi, mainland subspecies (now extinct)
• B. g. cuniculus, Tasmanian subspecies

The introduction of the red fox and European rabbit to Australia led to the extinction of the mainland subspecies during the 1920s.^[2][5] The Tasmanian subspecies still exists.^[2] In 2012, a small population was reintroduced to the mainland in Canberra, where they appear to be doing well.^[6]

Diet and behaviour

This bettong's habitat is open woodlands at altitudes between sea level and 1,000 m. (The highest point on Tasmania is at 1,617 m.) The bettong usually nests in dry, open eucalypt forests and grassy woodlands. It is a nocturnal animal, sleeping during the day in a domed, grass nest that serves as camouflaged. Bettongs build their nests with grasses and leaves, which they transport to the nest using its curved prehensile tail.^[7]

A major component of their diet is underground fungi related to truffles, but it digs up roots and tubers as well. Insects and grubs are also eaten when encountered. It is unique in that it will travel up to 1.5 km from its nest to a feeding area, a considerable distance for such a small creature.^[7]

Like other bettongs, the eastern bettong is a continuous breeder with a gestation period of only three weeks. Bettongs produce young all year.^[8]

Threats

While the mainland population became extinct in the 1920s,^[2][5] the Tasmanian population has remained secure.^[2] One concern is that most of the bettongs are found on private land, with only two groups found within reserves. Red foxes are a major threat.^[9][10] The International Union for the Conservation of Nature has raised the threat status for eastern bettongs from least concern to near threatened.^[2]

References