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Plains rat

February 25, 2023

The plains rat (Pseudomys australis), also known as the palyoora, plains mouse and eastern mouse,[2] is a conilurine rodent native to arid and semi-arid Australia.[3] Referred to as the pallyoora or yarlie by Indigenous groups, the plains rat was once widely distributed across central Australia, including north-west New South Wales and south-west Queensland; however, habitat degradation due to grazing, introduced predators and drought have contributed to its decline.[3] Consequently, the plains rat has been listed as 'presumed extinct' in New South Wales and Victoria, 'endangered' in the Northern Territory and Queensland and 'vulnerable' in Western Australia and South Australia.[4] While recent research has indicated the presence of the plains rat in areas such as the Fowlers Gap and Strzelecki Desert regions of New South Wales[4] and within the Diamantina National Park in Queensland,[5] there are only five sub-populations currently recognised nationally, none of which coincide with recent discoveries of the plains rat.[4] As the current population trend of the plains rat has been listed as 'declining' by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the IUCN conservation status for the species is 'vulnerable'.[6]

Plains rat
Temporal range: Pliocene – Recent
near Mount Dare Station, South Australia Photography by Tim Bawden (2017)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Muridae
Genus: Pseudomys
Species:
P. australis
Binomial name
Pseudomys australis
Gray, 1832
The historical distribution (pre-1980) and assumed extant distribution (1980-2018) of the plains rat across Australia.

Taxonomy

The name Pseudomys comes from the combined form of the Greek word pseudes (meaning "false") and the Latin word mys (meaning "mouse"), presumably because of the plains rat's puzzling similarities and differences to "true mice" in the genus mus.[7] The name australis comes from the Latin word australis (meaning "south land").[7] Thus, the name Pseudomys australis, first described by Grey in 1832,[8] means 'false mouse from the southern land'.[7]

 
Figure 1 The phylogeny of rodents of the Subfamily Murinae.

The taxonomy of Australian rodents remains controversial; however, it is commonly accepted that there are two major groups including the Australo-Papuan Old Endemics and the Australo-Papuan New Endemics[9] (Figure 1). The plains rat is considered an Australo-Papuan Old Endemic as DNA sequencing from fossilised evidence suggests that its ancestors first arrived in Australia between 4.2 and 5 million years ago, during the Pilocene era.[9] Old endemics, particularly the Family Muridae, are believed to have originated in Southern Asia[9] and then diversified through multiple rodent lineages.[10] Relationships between Australian members of the Order Rodentia suggest that a New Guinean lineage gave rise to the Australo-Papuan Old Endemics and thus the early ancestors of the plains rat.[9]

The plains rat is an Australian conilurine rodent of the Order Rodentia.[3] Within the Order Rodentia are two suborders: the Hystricognathi and the Sciurognathi.[9] The Suborder Sciurognathi comprises several groups; however, the largest group, the Family Muridae, is inclusive of the Subfamily Murinae and Genus Pseudomys, of which the plains rat is classified.[9] Australian native rodents are composed of 13 genera, reflective of the habitats in which they occur.[9] Pseudomys occupy the arid and semi-arid regions of Australia; however, fossil records suggest that the plains rat has occupied far more diverse habitats in the past,[11] contributing to difficulties in determining the differences between populations of the same species and different species within the Genus Pseudomys.[3] Thus, the species P. australis now includes all specimens previously classified as P. rowlinnae, P. minnie and P. auritus.[12]

Distribution and habitat

 
Figure 2 The five primary extant populations of the plains rat as recognised by the 2012 National Recovery Plan.

The primary extant population of the plains rat can be divided into five broad geographic zones: 1) the Arcoona Tableland, SA; 2) the Southern Lake Eyre region, SA; 3) the Moon Plain region, SA; 4) the Oodnadatta region (including Witjira National Park), SA/NT; and, 5) the Andado Station and Mac Clark Conservation Reserve, NT[5] (Figure 2). These areas are characterised by access to boulders, small stones and gilgais (depressions and water soaks)[12] and are consistent with the plain rat's primary habitat type of stone-covered plains.[8]

Historically, the plains rat was widely distributed across a broad range of habitats including river flats, grasslands, sand ridges and lowland shrubs;[13] however, the current assumed distribution of the plains rat is limited to the gibber (stone-covered) plains (Figure 3) in central-northern South-Australia.[8] These areas are characterised by cracking clay, productive depressions and minor drainage lines which support low open scrublands and ephemeral grass or herb lands.[8] While an individual's home range is roughly 1.6 hectares, colonies may extend beyond their preferred habitat type in search of drought refuges, essentially increasing their home range.[5] These refuges are usually areas of higher shelter and food availability with more productive vegetation types.[14] Similarly, during times of high rainfall, populations displaced due to flood inundation may migrate temporarily into surrounding habitat types.[3]

 
Figure 3 Gibber country in Diamantina National Park, QLD, Australia. Photography by David Elliott (24/07/2015).

Physical description

 
Figure 4 Plains rat at Mac Clark (Acacia peuce) Conservation Reserve, NT, Australia. Photography by Tim Bawden (18/09/2017).

The plains rat has a stocky build of around 65 grams with long ears and a rounded muzzle and is grey to brown along its back with white or cream lining its underbelly[15] (Figure 4). Its combined head and body length is usually between 90 and 145 millimetres and its tail is roughly as long as its body.[15] During lactation, females can be observed dragging their young as they each latch to one of the four teats located on its underbelly.[8]

Behaviour and ecology

The plains rat constructs a complex system of shallow connected tunnels beneath the cracking clay of gibber plains, emerging only at night to feed on seeds, stems and arthropods.[16] The home range of an adult is roughly 1.6 hectares.[5] During non-breeding periods both sexes live together in colonies of up to 20 individuals; however, during breeding periods one male occupies a burrow with up to three females.[11] During breeding cycles males becoming increasingly agitated and both sexes are known to stand on their hind feet and squeal loudly when threatened.[16] Whilst breeding is not regularly seasonal, young is generally produced after sexual maturity is reached at 8–10 weeks and after a gestation period of 30–31 days.[11] Litter sizes usually consist of four young but up to seven young can be produced in one litter.[6]

The lifespan of the plains rat is generally two years; however, their survival often depends on resource availability.[6] Thus, during years of consecutively high rainfall, their lifespan can approach 4.5 years.[14][17] Similarly, during severe drought most will only survive one year.[14]

 
Figure 5 European red fox (Vulpes vulpes), a common predator of the plains rat. Lake Cargelligo, NSW, Australia. Photography by Harley Kingston (03/01/2012).

Threats

Habitat degradation, introduced predators and drought collectively threaten the survival of the plains rat.[6] Habitat degradation mainly derives from introduced hoofed stock and land clearing.[18] Hoofed stock lessen vegetation cover, crush the seed bank and trample burrows while land clearing removes food sources vital to the survival of the plains rat.[8] Reduced vegetation cover and damaged burrows only makes it easier for introduced predators such as the European fox (Vulpes vulpes) (Figure 5) and feral cat (Felis catus) to excavate shallow burrows.[8] This can contribute to local extinctions, particularly when populations are already low during periods of drought.[8][14] Other potential threats to the plains rat include altered fire regimes, leading to increased intensity of bushfires; competition with the introduced house mouse (Mus musculus) and European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus); and, climate change.[8][17]

 
Figure 6 Plains rat near Mount Dare Station, SA, Australia. Photography by Tim Bawden (07/09/2017).

Conservation

The Action Plan for Australian Mammals 2012[6] identifies three main conservation objectives for the plains rat. These objectives include: 1) managing threats in order to secure or increase the plain rat's overall population size; 2) maintaining viable sub-populations where the plains rat is known to occur; and, 3) identifying and protecting drought refugia.[6] The 2012 National Recovery Plan for the Plains Mouse[5] encourages collaboration between communities, governments and industries to meet these conservation objectives in order to conserve the plains rat (Figure 6).

See also

  • Rodent - For more detailed information on the order Rodentia including the classification and evolution; distribution and habitat; and, behavioural characteristics of the order Rodentia.
  • Pseudomys - For a species list of Australian native mice which are classified in the genus of Pseudomys.

References

  1. ^ Burbidge, A.A. & Woinarski, J. (2016). "Pseudomys australis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T75927871A115493152. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T75927871A22398023.en.{{cite iucn}}: error: |doi= / |page= mismatch (help)
  2. ^ Kerle, Anne. "NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee" (PDF). Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: 10.
  3. ^ a b c d e Brandle, R; Moseby, K. E; Adams, M (1999). "The distribution, habitat requirements and conservation status of the plains rat, Pseudomys australis (Rodentia: Muridae)". Wildlife Research. 26 (4): 463, 464, 473. doi:10.1071/WR97060.
  4. ^ a b c Leggett, K. E. A; Welaratne, T; McLeod, S; Dawson, T (2017). "Rediscovery of the plains mouse (Pseudomys australis) (Rodentia: Muridae) in New South Wales". Australian Mammalogy. 40 (1): 127–130. doi:10.1071/AM16046.
  5. ^ a b c d e Moseby, K. (2012) "National Recovery Plan for the Plains Mouse Pseudomys australis". Adelaide: Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Woinarski, J. C. Z; Burbidge, A. A; Harrison, P. L (2014). The action plan for Australian mammals 2012. Collingwood: CSIRO Publishing. pp. 622–625. ISBN 9780643108738.
  7. ^ a b c Long, J.A; Archer, M; Flannery, T; Hand, S (2002). Prehistoric mammals of Australia and New Guinea: One hundred million years of evolution. Sydney: University of New South Wales Press. p. 198. ISBN 0868404357.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i Curtis, L.K; Dennis, A.J (2012). Queenslands Threatened Animals. Collingwood: CSIRO Publishing. p. 404. ISBN 9780643096141.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g Breed, B; Ford, F (2007). Native mice and rats. Collingwood: CSIRO Publishing. p. 5. ISBN 9780643091665.
  10. ^ Rowe, K.C; Achmadi, A.S; Esselstyn, J.A (2016). "Repeated evolution of carnivory among Indo-Australian rodents". Evolution. 70 (3): 653–65. doi:10.1111/evo.12871. PMID 26826614.
  11. ^ a b c Dickman, C.R (1993). The biology and management of native rodents of the arid zone in NSW. Hurstville: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. pp. 58–59. ISBN 0730573915.
  12. ^ a b Department of the Environment, Canberra (2018). "Species profile and threats database: Pseudomys australis- plains rat, palyoora". Canberra: Department of the Environment.
  13. ^ Watts, C.H.S; Ashlin, H.J (1981). The rodents of Australia. Sydney: Angus & Robertson. pp. 26–28. ISBN 0207142351.
  14. ^ a b c d Young, L.I; Dickman, C.R; Pavey, C.R (2017). "Spatial ecology and shelter resources of a threatened desert rodent (Pseudomys australis) in refuge habitat". Journal of Mammalogy. 98 (6): 1604–1605. doi:10.1093/jmammal/gyx129.
  15. ^ a b Van Dyck, S; Gynther, I; Baker, A (2013). Field companion to the mammals of Australia. Sydney: New Holland Publishers. p. 173. ISBN 9781877069819.
  16. ^ a b Menkhorst, P; Knight, F (2004). A field guide to the mammals of Australia (2nd ed.). Melbourne: Oxford University Press. p. 200. ISBN 019555037-4.
  17. ^ a b Pavey, C.R; Addison, J; Brandle, R; Dickman, C.R; McDonald, P.J; Moseby, K.E; Young, L.I (2017). "The role of refuges in the persistence of Australian dryland mammals". Biological Reviews. 92 (2): 653. doi:10.1111/brv.12247. PMID 26685752.
  18. ^ Dickman, C.R; Pressey, R.L; Lim, L; Parnaby, H.E (1993). "Mammals of particular conservation concern in the western division of New South Wales". Biological Conservation. 65 (3): 233. doi:10.1016/0006-3207(93)90056-7.

External links

  • Australian Government species profile and threats database - Pseudomys australis
  • IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - Pseudomys australis
  • National Recovery Plan for the Plains Mouse (2012) - Pseudomys australis
  • NSW Government threatened species profile - Pseudomys australis
  • Murinae old world rats and mice

February 25, 2023
plains, plains, pseudomys, australis, also, known, palyoora, plains, mouse, eastern, mouse, conilurine, rodent, native, arid, semi, arid, australia, referred, pallyoora, yarlie, indigenous, groups, plains, once, widely, distributed, across, central, australia,. The plains rat Pseudomys australis also known as the palyoora plains mouse and eastern mouse 2 is a conilurine rodent native to arid and semi arid Australia 3 Referred to as the pallyoora or yarlie by Indigenous groups the plains rat was once widely distributed across central Australia including north west New South Wales and south west Queensland however habitat degradation due to grazing introduced predators and drought have contributed to its decline 3 Consequently the plains rat has been listed as presumed extinct in New South Wales and Victoria endangered in the Northern Territory and Queensland and vulnerable in Western Australia and South Australia 4 While recent research has indicated the presence of the plains rat in areas such as the Fowlers Gap and Strzelecki Desert regions of New South Wales 4 and within the Diamantina National Park in Queensland 5 there are only five sub populations currently recognised nationally none of which coincide with recent discoveries of the plains rat 4 As the current population trend of the plains rat has been listed as declining by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature IUCN the IUCN conservation status for the species is vulnerable 6 Plains ratTemporal range Pliocene Recent PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg Nnear Mount Dare Station South Australia Photography by Tim Bawden 2017 Conservation statusVulnerable IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classificationKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass MammaliaOrder RodentiaFamily MuridaeGenus PseudomysSpecies P australisBinomial namePseudomys australisGray 1832The historical distribution pre 1980 and assumed extant distribution 1980 2018 of the plains rat across Australia Contents 1 Taxonomy 2 Distribution and habitat 3 Physical description 4 Behaviour and ecology 5 Threats 6 Conservation 7 See also 8 References 9 External linksTaxonomy EditThe name Pseudomys comes from the combined form of the Greek word pseudes meaning false and the Latin word mys meaning mouse presumably because of the plains rat s puzzling similarities and differences to true mice in the genus mus 7 The name australis comes from the Latin word australis meaning south land 7 Thus the name Pseudomys australis first described by Grey in 1832 8 means false mouse from the southern land 7 Figure 1 The phylogeny of rodents of the Subfamily Murinae The taxonomy of Australian rodents remains controversial however it is commonly accepted that there are two major groups including the Australo Papuan Old Endemics and the Australo Papuan New Endemics 9 Figure 1 The plains rat is considered an Australo Papuan Old Endemic as DNA sequencing from fossilised evidence suggests that its ancestors first arrived in Australia between 4 2 and 5 million years ago during the Pilocene era 9 Old endemics particularly the Family Muridae are believed to have originated in Southern Asia 9 and then diversified through multiple rodent lineages 10 Relationships between Australian members of the Order Rodentia suggest that a New Guinean lineage gave rise to the Australo Papuan Old Endemics and thus the early ancestors of the plains rat 9 The plains rat is an Australian conilurine rodent of the Order Rodentia 3 Within the Order Rodentia are two suborders the Hystricognathi and the Sciurognathi 9 The Suborder Sciurognathi comprises several groups however the largest group the Family Muridae is inclusive of the Subfamily Murinae and Genus Pseudomys of which the plains rat is classified 9 Australian native rodents are composed of 13 genera reflective of the habitats in which they occur 9 Pseudomys occupy the arid and semi arid regions of Australia however fossil records suggest that the plains rat has occupied far more diverse habitats in the past 11 contributing to difficulties in determining the differences between populations of the same species and different species within the Genus Pseudomys 3 Thus the species P australis now includes all specimens previously classified as P rowlinnae P minnie and P auritus 12 Distribution and habitat Edit Figure 2 The five primary extant populations of the plains rat as recognised by the 2012 National Recovery Plan The primary extant population of the plains rat can be divided into five broad geographic zones 1 the Arcoona Tableland SA 2 the Southern Lake Eyre region SA 3 the Moon Plain region SA 4 the Oodnadatta region including Witjira National Park SA NT and 5 the Andado Station and Mac Clark Conservation Reserve NT 5 Figure 2 These areas are characterised by access to boulders small stones and gilgais depressions and water soaks 12 and are consistent with the plain rat s primary habitat type of stone covered plains 8 Historically the plains rat was widely distributed across a broad range of habitats including river flats grasslands sand ridges and lowland shrubs 13 however the current assumed distribution of the plains rat is limited to the gibber stone covered plains Figure 3 in central northern South Australia 8 These areas are characterised by cracking clay productive depressions and minor drainage lines which support low open scrublands and ephemeral grass or herb lands 8 While an individual s home range is roughly 1 6 hectares colonies may extend beyond their preferred habitat type in search of drought refuges essentially increasing their home range 5 These refuges are usually areas of higher shelter and food availability with more productive vegetation types 14 Similarly during times of high rainfall populations displaced due to flood inundation may migrate temporarily into surrounding habitat types 3 Figure 3 Gibber country in Diamantina National Park QLD Australia Photography by David Elliott 24 07 2015 Physical description Edit Figure 4 Plains rat at Mac Clark Acacia peuce Conservation Reserve NT Australia Photography by Tim Bawden 18 09 2017 The plains rat has a stocky build of around 65 grams with long ears and a rounded muzzle and is grey to brown along its back with white or cream lining its underbelly 15 Figure 4 Its combined head and body length is usually between 90 and 145 millimetres and its tail is roughly as long as its body 15 During lactation females can be observed dragging their young as they each latch to one of the four teats located on its underbelly 8 Behaviour and ecology EditThe plains rat constructs a complex system of shallow connected tunnels beneath the cracking clay of gibber plains emerging only at night to feed on seeds stems and arthropods 16 The home range of an adult is roughly 1 6 hectares 5 During non breeding periods both sexes live together in colonies of up to 20 individuals however during breeding periods one male occupies a burrow with up to three females 11 During breeding cycles males becoming increasingly agitated and both sexes are known to stand on their hind feet and squeal loudly when threatened 16 Whilst breeding is not regularly seasonal young is generally produced after sexual maturity is reached at 8 10 weeks and after a gestation period of 30 31 days 11 Litter sizes usually consist of four young but up to seven young can be produced in one litter 6 The lifespan of the plains rat is generally two years however their survival often depends on resource availability 6 Thus during years of consecutively high rainfall their lifespan can approach 4 5 years 14 17 Similarly during severe drought most will only survive one year 14 Figure 5 European red fox Vulpes vulpes a common predator of the plains rat Lake Cargelligo NSW Australia Photography by Harley Kingston 03 01 2012 Threats EditHabitat degradation introduced predators and drought collectively threaten the survival of the plains rat 6 Habitat degradation mainly derives from introduced hoofed stock and land clearing 18 Hoofed stock lessen vegetation cover crush the seed bank and trample burrows while land clearing removes food sources vital to the survival of the plains rat 8 Reduced vegetation cover and damaged burrows only makes it easier for introduced predators such as the European fox Vulpes vulpes Figure 5 and feral cat Felis catus to excavate shallow burrows 8 This can contribute to local extinctions particularly when populations are already low during periods of drought 8 14 Other potential threats to the plains rat include altered fire regimes leading to increased intensity of bushfires competition with the introduced house mouse Mus musculus and European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus and climate change 8 17 Figure 6 Plains rat near Mount Dare Station SA Australia Photography by Tim Bawden 07 09 2017 Conservation EditThe Action Plan for Australian Mammals 2012 6 identifies three main conservation objectives for the plains rat These objectives include 1 managing threats in order to secure or increase the plain rat s overall population size 2 maintaining viable sub populations where the plains rat is known to occur and 3 identifying and protecting drought refugia 6 The 2012 National Recovery Plan for the Plains Mouse 5 encourages collaboration between communities governments and industries to meet these conservation objectives in order to conserve the plains rat Figure 6 See also EditRodent For more detailed information on the order Rodentia including the classification and evolution distribution and habitat and behavioural characteristics of the order Rodentia Pseudomys For a species list of Australian native mice which are classified in the genus of Pseudomys References Edit Burbidge A A amp Woinarski J 2016 Pseudomys australis IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016 e T75927871A115493152 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2016 2 RLTS T75927871A22398023 en cite iucn error doi page mismatch help Kerle Anne NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee PDF Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 10 a b c d e Brandle R Moseby K E Adams M 1999 The distribution habitat requirements and conservation status of the plains rat Pseudomys australis Rodentia Muridae Wildlife Research 26 4 463 464 473 doi 10 1071 WR97060 a b c Leggett K E A Welaratne T McLeod S Dawson T 2017 Rediscovery of the plains mouse Pseudomys australis Rodentia Muridae in New South Wales Australian Mammalogy 40 1 127 130 doi 10 1071 AM16046 a b c d e Moseby K 2012 National Recovery Plan for the Plains Mouse Pseudomys australis Adelaide Department of Environment Water and Natural Resources a b c d e f Woinarski J C Z Burbidge A A Harrison P L 2014 The action plan for Australian mammals 2012 Collingwood CSIRO Publishing pp 622 625 ISBN 9780643108738 a b c Long J A Archer M Flannery T Hand S 2002 Prehistoric mammals of Australia and New Guinea One hundred million years of evolution Sydney University of New South Wales Press p 198 ISBN 0868404357 a b c d e f g h i Curtis L K Dennis A J 2012 Queenslands Threatened Animals Collingwood CSIRO Publishing p 404 ISBN 9780643096141 a b c d e f g Breed B Ford F 2007 Native mice and rats Collingwood CSIRO Publishing p 5 ISBN 9780643091665 Rowe K C Achmadi A S Esselstyn J A 2016 Repeated evolution of carnivory among Indo Australian rodents Evolution 70 3 653 65 doi 10 1111 evo 12871 PMID 26826614 a b c Dickman C R 1993 The biology and management of native rodents of the arid zone in NSW Hurstville NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service pp 58 59 ISBN 0730573915 a b Department of the Environment Canberra 2018 Species profile and threats database Pseudomys australis plains rat palyoora Canberra Department of the Environment Watts C H S Ashlin H J 1981 The rodents of Australia Sydney Angus amp Robertson pp 26 28 ISBN 0207142351 a b c d Young L I Dickman C R Pavey C R 2017 Spatial ecology and shelter resources of a threatened desert rodent Pseudomys australis in refuge habitat Journal of Mammalogy 98 6 1604 1605 doi 10 1093 jmammal gyx129 a b Van Dyck S Gynther I Baker A 2013 Field companion to the mammals of Australia Sydney New Holland Publishers p 173 ISBN 9781877069819 a b Menkhorst P Knight F 2004 A field guide to the mammals of Australia 2nd ed Melbourne Oxford University Press p 200 ISBN 019555037 4 a b Pavey C R Addison J Brandle R Dickman C R McDonald P J Moseby K E Young L I 2017 The role of refuges in the persistence of Australian dryland mammals Biological Reviews 92 2 653 doi 10 1111 brv 12247 PMID 26685752 Dickman C R Pressey R L Lim L Parnaby H E 1993 Mammals of particular conservation concern in the western division of New South Wales Biological Conservation 65 3 233 doi 10 1016 0006 3207 93 90056 7 External links EditAustralian Government species profile and threats database Pseudomys australis IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Pseudomys australis National Recovery Plan for the Plains Mouse 2012 Pseudomys australis NSW Government threatened species profile Pseudomys australis Murinae old world rats and mice Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Plains rat amp oldid 1043575555, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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