Paucident planigale
Paucident planigale[1] | |
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Paucident planigale | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Infraclass: | Marsupialia |
Order: | Dasyuromorphia |
Family: | Dasyuridae |
Genus: | Planigale |
Species: | P. gilesi
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Binomial name | |
Planigale gilesi Aitken, 1972
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Paucident planigale range |
The paucident planigale (Planigale gilesi), also known as Giles' planigale, is a very small species of carnivorous marsupial of the family Dasyuridae.
Taxonomy
The paucident planigale was not formally described until 1972, when it was named Planigale gilesi in honour of the explorer Ernest Giles, who explored Australia's deserts, including this species' habitat.[3] It is one of five members of the genus Planigale.
Description
The paucident (from Latin pauci 'few', dentēs 'teeth') planigale differs from other
Reproduction
Paucident planigale breeding season is from July to mid-January, with most litters being born in September. Breeding season correlates with the spring and summer seasons, similar to other arid zone
The pouch of the female paucident planigale is flat and covered in dense, off white hairs approximately 5mm in length. There are 12 teats within the pouch which are smooth and cream in colour. The teats are slightly raised from the abdominal wall, 0.5mm in length, directed laterally. The pouch opening is 3.5mm long and 2mm wide. A thin skin fold covers the teats and is held firmly against the abdomen. The sub-adult, female paucident planigale experiences changes during its first breeding season when sexual maturity is reached at 5 months old. Hair is shed from the pouch exposing skin and the pouch rapidly develops musculature. Pouch development is completed before the birth of the first young, however, without pregnancy during the first
For male paucident planigale spermatogenesis begins at sexual maturity at around 6.5 months old. Females make a soft “clucking” sound one night prior to oestrus, as the males court the females 24 hours prior to oestrus. Females respond to courting by fighting and vocalisation. Mating lasts between 2.5 – 4 hours and more than one male may mate with a female during that period. Fighting over oestrus females is common amongst males.
Female paucident planigale spend 3 days in oestrus and the oestrus cycle is 21 days. Gestation lasts for 15.5 days and the average litter size is 6. The young remain in the female’s pouch attached to the teats for 37 days, although lactation lasts 75 days.[6]
Distribution and habitat
The paucident planigale is found in arid inland areas from
Behaviour
Paucident planigale is predominantly
Threats
The paucident planigale is hunted by introduced predators such as
Conservation status
The paucident planigale has been listed as threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 in the state of Victoria, although it is not considered threatened nationally. In Victoria, the paucident planigale has restricted distribution and is limited to a narrow zone of floodplain along the Murray River.[4]
References
- OCLC 62265494.
- . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ ISBN 0-7301-0484-2.
- ^ a b "Flora and Fauna Guarantee, Action Statement. Paucident planigale" (PDF). Department of Sustainability and Environment. The State of Victoria. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
- ^ a b c Menkhorst, Peter (2001). A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Oxford University Press. p. 64.
- S2CID 254720717. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
- doi:10.1071/ZO09097. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
- ^ NSW Government, Office of Environment & Heritage. "Common Planigale". NSW Government Office of Environment & Heritage. Retrieved 7 October 2020.