Toolache wallaby

Toolache wallaby[1]
nineteenth century illustration of male and female
Conservation status
Extinct (ca. 1939)  (IUCN 3.1)[2]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Infraclass:	Marsupialia
Order:	Diprotodontia
Family:	Macropodidae
Genus:	Notamacropus
Species:	†N. greyi
Binomial name
†Notamacropus greyi (Waterhouse, 1846)[3]
Synonyms
Macropus greyi

The toolache wallaby or Grey's wallaby (Notamacropus greyi) is an extinct species of

.

Taxonomy

A species described by

The author cites an earlier name, Halmaturus greyii, published by A systematic revision has seen the species placed in a subgeneric arrangement as Macropus (Notamacropus) greyi, recognising an affinity with eight other species of the subgenus named as Notamacropus Dawson and Flannery, 1985.^[7] An arrangement that elevates the subgenera of Macropus is recognised as Notamacropus greyi.^[8] A genetic analysis found that its closest relative is the western brush wallaby.^[9]

The common names have also included monkeyface and onetwo.^[6] The name Toolache may come from the Ngarrindjeri word rtulatji.^[10]

Description

Mammals of Australia

(1863)

The toolache wallaby was a slim, graceful, and elegant creature that had a pale ashy-brown pelt with a buff-yellow underbelly.^[6][11] The tail was pale grey and became almost white near the tip. The distinct black mark on its face reached from its nose to the eye. The forearms, feet, and tips of the ears were also black. The different colours of the animal also consisted of different textured furs which are believed to have changed seasonally or varied depending on the individual. The body measurements differed between males and females. In general, male toolache wallabies had a head and body length up to 810 mm while females measured up as 840 mm. Despite the females being taller, males had longer tail lengths at about 730 mm while the female's tail length was 710 mm.^[12]

Behaviour

The toolache wallaby was a nocturnal animal, foraging for vegetation during the twilight hours of the day.^[11] Their movements were unusual and extremely rapid, able to outpace almost any terrestrial predator; they were known to evade the fastest dogs of the colonial hunters.^[6]

Habitat

The toolache wallaby occupied the southeastern corner of Australia to the western part of Victoria. The preferred habitat ranged from swampy short grassland areas, to taller grassed areas of the open country. Toolache wallabies were known to be sociable creatures who lived in groups; they were often seen resting and grazing in groups.^[12]

Threats

A combination of numerous threats caused the decline and eventual extinction of the toolache wallaby. One of the largest factors was the destruction of its habitat. Since swamps were an important part of its habitat, once they were cleared out, much of the vegetation went with it. Besides the destruction of its habitat, the introduction of predators, such as the European red fox, began to kill off the species as well. Additionally, the animal was also hunted for sport and for its pelt.^[12]

Extinction

The toolache wallaby only survived 85 years after European occupation. In the 1920s, a conservation effort was made to try to bring the animal back from the brink of extinction. The plan was to capture and breed the last known surviving members of the species in captivity. This effort ended in disaster after 10 of the 14 of them were accidentally killed in the attempt to capture them. The remaining four survived in captivity.

The last wild sightings were recorded in 1924, and the last known toolache wallaby survived in captivity until 1939.^[2] The species is presumed to be extinct, although extensive research is still being conducted in the region after reports of suspected sightings through the 1970s. However, no members of the species have been sighted since.

References

• Flannery, T.; Schouten, P. (2001). A Gap in Nature. Atlantic Monthly Press. p. 152.
  ISBN 0-87113-797-6
  .