The slender-tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis murina), also known as the common dunnart in Australia, is a dasyuridmarsupial. It has an average body length of 7 to 12 centimeters (2.8–4.7 in) with a tail length of 5.5 to 13 centimetres (2.2–5.1 in). It weighs 25–40.8 grams for males and 16.5–25.4 grams for females.
The slender-tailed dunnart is native to the east and south-east coast and interior of Australia, from the Cape York Peninsula to the Port Lincoln area of South Australia. There are two subspecies: S. m. murina is found throughout the distribution, and S. mu. tatei found between Townsville and Cairns in Queensland. This species is found at altitudes of between 60–360 metres (196.9–1181.1 ft) and preferes habitats with an average rainfall between 30–85 centimetres (11.8–33.5 in) per year. Habitats encountered include Mallee scrub,y forests and woodlands and dry heath, these areas have sparse ground and shrub cover but have dense leaf and bark litter in Victoria to rainforest edges and swamps in Queensland.
Breeding and socializationedit
Sminthopsis murina
The slender-tailed dunnart's breeding season begins in New South Wales between September and March each year, with the female breeding again after weaning the first offspring (B.J. Fox 1982). The female may live to breed a second year, although the male generally dies after mating. Gestation is for 12.5 days with weaning at 60–65 days. The litter size is usually 8–10 joeys. In unfavourable conditions and to save food, torpor is sometimes a factor in the species' life habit, but it is only documented in areas of extreme environmental conditions. The species is nocturnal.[2]
Dietedit
An opportunistic arthropod feeder, found that a preference for beetles and moths with other prey less eaten than what was available.[3]
Referencesedit
^Dickman, C.; Burnett, S.; McKenzie, N. (2016). "Sminthopsis murina". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T40547A21949138. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T40547A21949138.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
Groves, C. P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 35. ISBN0-801-88221-4. OCLC 62265494.
Menkhorst, Peter W. (1995). Mammals of Victoria. Oxford Press. pp. 66–67. ISBN0-19-553733-5.
Fox, B.J., Whitford, D. 1982. Polyoestry in a predictable coastal environment: Reproduction, Growth and Development in Sminthopsis murina (Dasyuridae, marsupialia).
Fox, B.J., Archer, E. 1984. The diets of Sminthopsis murina and Antechinus stuartii (Marsupialia:Dasyuridae) in Sympatry. Australian Wildlife Resources 11:235-248.
External linksedit
Common dunnart
Museum pictures and footage
May 19, 2024
slender, tailed, dunnart, slender, tailed, dunnart, sminthopsis, murina, also, known, common, dunnart, australia, dasyurid, marsupial, average, body, length, centimeters, with, tail, length, centimetres, weighs, grams, males, grams, females, conservation, stat. The slender tailed dunnart Sminthopsis murina also known as the common dunnart in Australia is a dasyurid marsupial It has an average body length of 7 to 12 centimeters 2 8 4 7 in with a tail length of 5 5 to 13 centimetres 2 2 5 1 in It weighs 25 40 8 grams for males and 16 5 25 4 grams for females Slender tailed dunnart Conservation status Least Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classification Domain Eukaryota Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Infraclass Marsupialia Order Dasyuromorphia Family Dasyuridae Genus Sminthopsis Species S murina Binomial name Sminthopsis murina Waterhouse 1838 Slender tailed dunnart range Contents 1 Distribution and habitat 2 Breeding and socialization 3 Diet 4 References 5 Bibliography 6 External linksDistribution and habitat editThe slender tailed dunnart is native to the east and south east coast and interior of Australia from the Cape York Peninsula to the Port Lincoln area of South Australia There are two subspecies S m murina is found throughout the distribution and S mu tatei found between Townsville and Cairns in Queensland This species is found at altitudes of between 60 360 metres 196 9 1181 1 ft and preferes habitats with an average rainfall between 30 85 centimetres 11 8 33 5 in per year Habitats encountered include Mallee scrub y forests and woodlands and dry heath these areas have sparse ground and shrub cover but have dense leaf and bark litter in Victoria to rainforest edges and swamps in Queensland Breeding and socialization edit nbsp Sminthopsis murina The slender tailed dunnart s breeding season begins in New South Wales between September and March each year with the female breeding again after weaning the first offspring B J Fox 1982 The female may live to breed a second year although the male generally dies after mating Gestation is for 12 5 days with weaning at 60 65 days The litter size is usually 8 10 joeys In unfavourable conditions and to save food torpor is sometimes a factor in the species life habit but it is only documented in areas of extreme environmental conditions The species is nocturnal 2 Diet editAn opportunistic arthropod feeder found that a preference for beetles and moths with other prey less eaten than what was available 3 References edit Dickman C Burnett S McKenzie N 2016 Sminthopsis murina IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016 e T40547A21949138 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2016 2 RLTS T40547A21949138 en Retrieved 19 November 2021 Fox amp Whitford 1982 sfn error no target CITEREFFoxWhitford1982 help Fox amp Archer sfn error no target CITEREFFoxArcher help Bibliography editGroves C P 2005 Wilson D E Reeder D M eds Mammal Species of the World A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference 3rd ed Baltimore Johns Hopkins University Press p 35 ISBN 0 801 88221 4 OCLC 62265494 Menkhorst Peter W 1995 Mammals of Victoria Oxford Press pp 66 67 ISBN 0 19 553733 5 Fox B J Whitford D 1982 Polyoestry in a predictable coastal environment Reproduction Growth and Development in Sminthopsis murina Dasyuridae marsupialia Fox B J Archer E 1984 The diets of Sminthopsis murina and Antechinus stuartii Marsupialia Dasyuridae in Sympatry Australian Wildlife Resources 11 235 248 External links editCommon dunnart Museum pictures and footage Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Slender tailed dunnart amp oldid 1211549326, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
