Proserpine rock-wallaby
| Proserpine rock-wallaby[1] | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Infraclass: | Marsupialia |
| Order: | Diprotodontia |
| Family: | Macropodidae |
| Genus: | Petrogale |
| Species: | P. persephone
|
| Binomial name | |
| Petrogale persephone Maynes, 1982
| |
| |
| Proserpine rock-wallaby range | |
The Proserpine rock-wallaby (Petrogale persephone) is a species of
Description
The Proserpine rock-wallaby is mostly grey in color and is a timid grass-eater that rarely ventures far from rock shelter.[5] They are the second largest member of the genus Petrogale, with males ranging from 4.3-10.2 kg and females at 3.5-8 kg.[6] It is distinguished from the many other rock wallabies found in northeastern Queensland by its larger size and longer tail, tipped with white, distinct lack of pelage markings, incomplete ectoympanic ring not fused to posterior end of zygomatic arch, large pre-molars, and preference for deciduous vine forest habitats.[3][7] It was unknown to science until 1977, when a single individual was captured after farmers at Proserpine had spoken of a strange form of rock wallaby in the area.[8] It was scientifically described in 1982 by Maynes GM who placed it as one of 11 species of rock-wallaby currently recognized in Queensland.[6][3]
Habitat
The Proserpine rock-wallaby requires rocky outcrops, rock piles, and cliffs within a sloping microphyll/notophyll semi-deciduous dry vine forest in order to survive as these locations provide the best access to food and the ability to evade predators. Large rock piles act as a refuge site not only for protection from predators, but also aid in reducing the effects of high temperatures and humidity during summer months. During dry periods, colonies will move to the edges of the vine forest to feed on grasses.[6] The Proserpine rock-wallaby is found only in a relatively intensively-settled area, but it is in competition with other more successful rock-wallaby species, which competition is probably responsible for its threatened status.[9]
Lifecycle
The Proserpine rock-wallaby will breed approximately once per year producing a single offspring and has an oestrus cycle range of 33-35 days with a gestation period of 33-34 days. Within hours of giving birth, postpartum mating's will generally occur with the female exhibiting embryonic diapause.[10][11]
The young wallabies are born underdeveloped and will spend an average of 203 to 215 days in their mothers' pouch, with the mother lactating until the offspring are fully weaned around 105 to 139 days after they leave the pouch. During the mothers weaning of the young, prolactin decreases causing the activation of embryonic development in the next young. Male Proserpine rock-wallabies become sexually mature at 24.8 to 25.2 months, while females become sexually mature at 20.5 to 25.1 months.[10][11] They tend to have an average lifespan of 7-10 years in the wild.[6]
Hybridization is common with the genus Petrogale, with the first being discovered in 1976 and are still occasionally recorded today. While fertility in these hybridized wallabies is diminished, both male and female hybrids are still fertile.[11]
Behavior
The Proserpine rock-wallaby tend to be crepuscular, spending the day resting in their rocky shelters. When foraging the animals are extremely cautious and will remain near their rocky shelters in case of any predation encounters.[12]
They are social creatures and tend to share shelters with 4 to 8 other individuals but, 35 individuals have been observed habituating one rock pile. If rock shelters are connected, individuals will move between colonies. The animals have also been observed to occasionally graze in groups of 2 to 6 individuals.
Diet
The Proserpine rock-wallaby is
Predators
The Proserpine rock-wallaby have a few native predators including dingo's, carpet pythons, and goannas.[13] As more introductions of the species in new locations have occurred, they are faced with new predators. When introduced to the Hayman Island many Proserpine rock-wallabies were found dead with wounds most commonly associated with eagle attacks. The suspected predators were narrowed down to the wedge-tailed eagle and the white breasted sea eagle.[11]
Threats
The Proserpine rock-wallaby is threatened by multiple factors. Its habitat has declined from increased urbanization and tourism, leading it vulnerable to road kill and predation from domestic dogs and cats.[7][14] A potential long-term threat to the Proserpine rock-wallaby is anthropogenic climate change, as crossover boundaries of various Petrogale species could be affected by climate change.[6] This crossover is leading to inbreeding and hybridization between the Prosperine and Unadorned rock-wallaby species.[2] This potential inbreeding and hybridization is a cause for concern as there is the potential the subsequent offspring will be infertile. Sterile offspring could lead to a diminished breeding pool and place further pressure on the species which already has relatively low genetic variation.[6]
Its feeding habits make it vulnerable to consuming introduced toxic plants like the pink periwinkle, which can be found in many household gardens.[7] The rock-wallabies may not be able to differentiate between its native foraging plants or ones introduced to its habitat leading to the higher risk of it ingesting a toxic plant commonly found as garden ornamentals. The introduction of diseases such as Toxoplasmosis and Hydatids from dogs and domestic or feral cats have also posed major threats to the species. [6] Toxoplasmosis has been documented to cause blindness and death in rock-wallabies, while hydatids have been attributed to the death of a small sample size of deceased Proserpine rock-wallabies, both are believed to be becoming an increasing threat.[6]
Conservation
Current conservation strategies for this species involve the acquisition of protected habitat, adding wildlife reflectors to roadkill zones to prevent further fatalities, and controlling toxic plants near their habitat.[12] Introductions of captive bred wallabies have been released to the Hayman Islands to establish populations that are less likely to be threatened by disease, parasites, road strikes, introduced predators, and toxic plants. In 1998, 26 individuals were released on the island and have since doubled in size. Between 2006 and 2008, 5 more individuals were introduced to strengthen genetic viability among the colony. Conservationists hope this new island population will provide a source for future introductions or translocation of existing colonies that have suffered catastrophic losses.[6]
References
- OCLC 62265494.
- ^ . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ doi:10.1071/AM82005.
- ^ Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (2021). "Conservation advice for Petrogale persephone (Proserpine Rock-wallaby), Canberra" (PDF).
- ISBN 019550870X.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Department of Environment and Resource Management (2010). National recovery plan for the Proserpine rock-wallaby Petrogale persephone (PDF) (Report). Report to Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Canberra. Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management Brisbane.
- ^ a b c Nolan, Barry; Johnson, Peter (9 March 2001). "Proserpine Rock-wallaby (Petrogale persephone) Recovery Plan 2000-2004". Australian Government.
- ISBN 0-00-219943-2.
- ISBN 0207144540.
- ^ a b Lantz, Morgan. "Petrogale persephone (Proserpine rock wallaby)". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
- ^ doi:10.1071/WR01096.
- ^ a b Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (2012). "Petrogale persephone — Proserpine Rock-wallaby". Species Profile and Threats Database. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Winkel, P. (1997). The ecology and management of the Proserpine rock-wallaby (Petrogale persephone) (Report). Brisbane: Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage.
- ISSN 1836-7402.