Narrow-nosed Planigale
Encyclopedia
The Narrow-nosed Planigale (Planigale tenuirostris) is a species of very small marsupial
carnivore of the family Dasyuridae
.
in 1928, separating it from the Common Planigale (P. maculata) with which it had previously been associated. The scientific name for the species means "slender-snouted flat-weasel".
is smaller. It is an active hunter of various invertebrates, including beetle
s, grasshopper
s, cricket
s, spider
s and moth
s and is known as a fearless and pugnacious predator. Its flattened head is used as a wedge to prize apart grass stems and turn over leaves in the leaf litter. It will often attack prey larger than itself. It is a nocturnal species and in winter is primarily crepuscular
.
, Queensland
, South Australia
and Northern Territory
in a wide range of inland habitats. It prefers areas with cracked clay soil.
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...
carnivore of the family Dasyuridae
Dasyuridae
Dasyuridae is a family of marsupials native to Australia and New Guinea, including 61 species divided into 15 genera. Many are small and mouse-like, giving them the misnomer marsupial mice, but the group also includes the cat-sized quolls, as well as the Tasmanian Devil...
.
Taxonomy
The Narrow-nosed Planigale was described by Ellis Le Geyt TroughtonEllis Le Geyt Troughton
Ellis Le Geyt Troughton was an Australian zoologist and mammalogist. He wrote Furred Animals of Australia in 1941. He was the first Honorary Life Member of The "Australian Mammal Society's" and The Ellis Troughton Memorial Award is named for him.- References :...
in 1928, separating it from the Common Planigale (P. maculata) with which it had previously been associated. The scientific name for the species means "slender-snouted flat-weasel".
Description
The Narrow-nosed Planigale differs from other planigales in its more rufous colouring and smaller size – only the Long-tailed PlanigaleLong-tailed Planigale
The Long-tailed Planigale , also known as Ingram's Planigale or the Northern Planigale, is the smallest of all marsupials, and one of the smallest of all mammals...
is smaller. It is an active hunter of various invertebrates, including beetle
Beetle
Coleoptera is an order of insects commonly called beetles. The word "coleoptera" is from the Greek , koleos, "sheath"; and , pteron, "wing", thus "sheathed wing". Coleoptera contains more species than any other order, constituting almost 25% of all known life-forms...
s, grasshopper
Grasshopper
The grasshopper is an insect of the suborder Caelifera in the order Orthoptera. To distinguish it from bush crickets or katydids, it is sometimes referred to as the short-horned grasshopper...
s, cricket
Cricket (insect)
Crickets, family Gryllidae , are insects somewhat related to grasshoppers, and more closely related to katydids or bush crickets . They have somewhat flattened bodies and long antennae. There are about 900 species of crickets...
s, spider
Spider
Spiders are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs, and chelicerae with fangs that inject venom. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species diversity among all other groups of organisms...
s and moth
Moth
A moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly, both being of the order Lepidoptera. Moths form the majority of this order; there are thought to be 150,000 to 250,000 different species of moth , with thousands of species yet to be described...
s and is known as a fearless and pugnacious predator. Its flattened head is used as a wedge to prize apart grass stems and turn over leaves in the leaf litter. It will often attack prey larger than itself. It is a nocturnal species and in winter is primarily 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...
.
Distribution and habitat
The Narrow-nosed Planigale is found in New South WalesNew South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, 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...
, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
and Northern Territory
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
in a wide range of inland habitats. It prefers areas with cracked clay soil.