Woolley's false antechinus

Woolley's false antechinus[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Marsupialia
Order: Dasyuromorphia
Family: Dasyuridae
Genus: Pseudantechinus
Species: P. woolleyae
Binomial name
Pseudantechinus woolleyae
Kitchener & Caputi, 1988
Woolley's false antechinus range

Woolley's false antechinus (Pseudantechinus woolleyae), also known as Woolley's pseudantechinus, is a species of small carnivorous marsupial belonging to the family Dasyuridae. It is found in the Australian state of Western Australia, primarily in the Pilbara, Ashburton and Murchison regions.[3]

Taxonomy

Woolley's false antechinus was, like most false antechinuses, long believed to be a form of the fat-tailed false antechinus, which it closely resembles. It was not given full species status until 1988. The common and species names honour Dr Patricia Woolley, an Australian expert on dasyurid marsupials like this species.[4]

Description

Woolley's false antechinus is the largest false antechinus and its behaviour is little known. It has a breeding life of two or more years, unlike many of its relatives which live for a very short time.[3] Births occur in September–October and the young are sexually mature at 10 months.[3]

Woolley's false antechinus is coloured rich brown above and buff below. It has a flattened tail and chestnut patches behind its ears.[4]

Habitat

Woolley's false antechinus inhabits rocky hillsides, usually vegetated with acacia scrub or spinifex grass. It is found in the western area of Western Australia.[3]

References

  1. ↑ 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. 28. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. OCLC 62265494.
  2. ↑ Burbidge, A.; Cooper, N.; Woolley, P. & Morris, K. (2008). "Pseudantechinus woolleyae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2008. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 28 December 2008.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Menkhorst, Peter (2001). A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Oxford University Press. p. 60. ISBN 0-19-550870-X.
  4. 1 2 Woolley, P.A. (1995). "Woolley's False Antechinus". In Strahan, Ronald. The Mammals of Australia. Reed Books. pp. 80–81.
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