Atherton Antechinus
Encyclopedia
The Atherton Antechinus (Antechinus godmani), also known as Godman's Antechinus, is a species of small carnivorous marsupial
native to Australia
. It is one of the rarest members of its genus, and differs from other antechinus
es in its more rufous body colour and small eyes.
. For many years, it was regarded as a subspecies of the Yellow-footed Antechinus
(A. flavipes).
A member of the dasyurid family, the Atherton Antechinus is a member of the genus Antechinus
, of which it is one of the most restricted members.
The Atherton Antechinus believed to be mostly nocturnal or crepuscular
, and feeds mostly on terrestrial invertebrate
s. The mating season is July-August, after which all of the males die.
and Cardwell
, in northeastern Queensland
. It builds nests in tree hollows or litter of epiphyte
. It is not well known.
Marsupial
Marsupials are an infraclass of mammals, characterized by giving birth to relatively undeveloped young. Close to 70% of the 334 extant species occur in Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands, with the remaining 100 found in the Americas, primarily in South America, but with thirteen in Central...
native to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. It is one of the rarest members of its genus, and differs from other antechinus
Antechinus
Antechinus is a genus of dasyurid marsupial that is indigenous to Australia and New Guinea. The majority of Antechinus species occur in Australia and only two species have been described in New Guinea...
es in its more rufous body colour and small eyes.
Taxonomy
The Atherton Antechinus was first described in 1923 by Oldfield ThomasOldfield Thomas
Oldfield Thomas FRS was a British zoologist.Thomas worked at the Natural History Museum on mammals, describing about 2,000 new species and sub-species for the first time. He was appointed to the Museum Secretary's office in 1876, transferring to the Zoological Department in 1878...
. For many years, it was regarded as a subspecies of the Yellow-footed Antechinus
Yellow-footed Antechinus
thumb|250pxThe Yellow-footed Antechinus , also known as the Mardo, is a shrew-like marsupial found in Australia. One notable feature of the species is its sexual behavior...
(A. flavipes).
A member of the dasyurid family, the Atherton Antechinus is a member of the genus Antechinus
Antechinus
Antechinus is a genus of dasyurid marsupial that is indigenous to Australia and New Guinea. The majority of Antechinus species occur in Australia and only two species have been described in New Guinea...
, of which it is one of the most restricted members.
Description
The Atherton Antechinus is a dull brown colour, and is among the largest of the antechinuses. The species has an almost naked tail.The Atherton Antechinus believed to be mostly nocturnal or crepuscular
Crepuscular
Crepuscular animals are those that are active primarily during twilight, that is during dawn and dusk. The word is derived from the Latin word crepusculum, meaning "twilight." Crepuscular is, thus, in contrast with diurnal and nocturnal behavior. Crepuscular animals may also be active on a bright...
, and feeds mostly on terrestrial invertebrate
Invertebrate
An invertebrate is an animal without a backbone. The group includes 97% of all animal species – all animals except those in the chordate subphylum Vertebrata .Invertebrates form a paraphyletic group...
s. The mating season is July-August, after which all of the males die.
Distribution and habitat
The Atherton Antechinus is restricted to a 130km region of rainforest between Mount Bellenden KerMount Bellenden Ker
Mount Bellenden Ker is the second highest mountain in Queensland, Australia. It is named after the botanist John Bellenden Ker Gawler. Located 60 km south of Cairns near Babinda, it is adjacent to Mount Bartle Frere, the state's highest peak, part of the Bellenden Ker Range which is also...
and Cardwell
Cardwell, Queensland
Cardwell is a tropical coastal town in northeastern Queensland. It is located at the southern extremity of the Cassowary Coast. At the 2006 census, Cardwell had a population of 1,250. The Bruce Highway National Highway 1 and the North Coast railway line are the dominant transport routes;...
, in northeastern Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
. It builds nests in tree hollows or litter of epiphyte
Epiphyte
An epiphyte is a plant that grows upon another plant non-parasitically or sometimes upon some other object , derives its moisture and nutrients from the air and rain and sometimes from debris accumulating around it, and is found in the temperate zone and in the...
. It is not well known.