Musky rat-kangaroo
| Musky rat-kangaroo[1] | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Infraclass: | Marsupialia |
| Order: | Diprotodontia |
| Suborder: | Macropodiformes |
| Family: | Hypsiprymnodontidae |
| Genus: | Hypsiprymnodon Ramsay, 1876 |
| Species: | H. moschatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Hypsiprymnodon moschatus Ramsay, 1876 | |
 | |
| Musky rat-kangaroo range | |
The musky rat-kangaroo (Hypsiprymnodon moschatus) is a marsupial species found only in the rainforests of northeast Australia. Although some scientists place this species as a subfamily (Hypsiprymnodontinae) of the family Potoroidae, the most recent classification places it in the family Hypsiprymnodontidae with prehistoric rat-kangaroos.
The generic name combines the Ancient Greek hyps- (‘high’), prymnos (πρυμνός ‘hindmost’), and odōn (‘teeth’).[3] Its specific name, moschātus, is scientific Latin for ‘musk’.
It is the smallest macropod that is quadrupedal and only diurnal. The musky rat-kangaroo is about 21 to 34 cm long with a 6.5- to 12.3-cm-log hairless tail, weighs between 332 and 680 g,[4] and eats fallen fruit and large seeds, as well as small invertebrates. [5]
It moves by extending its body and then bringing both of its hind legs forward, and uses an opposable digit on the hind foot to climb trees.[5]
Living fossil
The rat-kangaroo has a number of unusual traits that are seen as linking it to more primitive marsupial ancestors. For example, it has reptile-like scales on its feet and tail, engages in a more primitive hopping behavior than most of its kangaroo cousins, and 5 toes on each foot.
References
- ↑ Groves, C. P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M, eds. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 56. OCLC 62265494. ISBN 0-801-88221-4.
- ↑ Burnett, S., Winter, J. & Martin, R. (2008). Hypsiprymnodon moschatus. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 29 December 2008. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
- ↑ Merriam-Webster Dictionary Hypsiprymnodon Unabridged (subscription required)
- ↑ Nowak, Ronald M. (2005) Walker's Marsupials of the World. Baltimore, USA: The Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 149-150. ISBN 0-8018-8222-2.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 McKay, G. (Ed.). (1999). Mammals (p. 60). San Francisco: Weldon Owen Inc. ISBN 1-875137-59-9
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Musky rat-kangaroo. |
- Chambers Wildlife Rainforest Lodges
- Australian Natural History Safari
- Pictures and facts about the musky rat-kangaroo