Overview
Distribution
Range Description
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Geographic Range
Hypsiprymnodon moschatus live in the Austrailian tropical rainforest. They occupy about 320km of the coast in norteastern Queensland.
Biogeographic Regions: australian (Native )
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Physical Description
Morphology
Physical Description
Their body is 208-341mm long and their tail is 65-123mm long. They are a rich brown or rusty grey color and mostly covered by short velvety underfur. The underside is a creamy tan color, paler than the back. The tail is scaly and naked like that of an opossum. The ears are naked as well and are thin, round, and dark in color. The claws are small, weak, and unequal in length. Females have four mammae and a well developed pouch. The forelimbs and hindlimbs are more similar in size than in other Macropods. The dentition is adapted for a general diet, and the dental formula is (i 3/1,c 0-1/10, pm 2/2, m 4/4) X 2 = 32 or 34. Throughout early life, molariform teeth migrate to make room for late erupting molars. This fourth molar doesn't erupt until very late in life.
Average mass: 500 g.
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Ecology
Habitat
Habitat and Ecology
Systems
- Terrestrial
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Habitat
They live in the dense vegetation surrounding lakes and streams in the rainforest. They sleep in their nests, but little else is known due to their reclusive nature.
Terrestrial Biomes: rainforest
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Trophic Strategy
Food Habits
Musky rat kangaroos are different from other rat-kangaroos in that they are primarily insectivorous. They also eat worms, tuberous roots and palm berries. The animal sits on its haunches while eating and finds food by turning over debris and digging. They are solitary, but have sometimes been seen in feeding aggregations of two or three.
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Life History and Behavior
Life Expectancy
Lifespan, longevity, and ageing
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Reproduction
Reproduction
Breeding takes place betweeen February and July (the rainy season). Usually two young are born and they leave the pouch after 21 weeks. For several more weeks the young reside in nests. Females are sexually mature at slightly more than one year.
Average number of offspring: 2.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
Sex: male: 365 days.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female: 365 days.
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Conservation
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List Assessment
Red List Category
Red List Criteria
Version
Year Assessed
Assessor/s
Reviewer/s
Contributor/s
Justification
History
- 1996Lower Risk/least concern
- 1996Lower Risk/least concern
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Conservation Status
They are relatively common in their range so there is no special status for H. moschatus. Most of their living area falls within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area so it seems that populations are pretty secure.
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
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Trends
Population
Population Trend
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Threats
Threats
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Management
Conservation Actions
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Relevance to Humans and Ecosystems
Benefits
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
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Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
H. moschatus rarely come into contact with humans and have no economic impact on them.
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Wikipedia
Musky rat-kangaroo
The musky rat-kangaroo (Hypsiprymnodon moschatus) is a marsupial species found in the rainforests of northeast Australia. Although some scientists place this species as a subfamily (Hypsiprymnodontinae) of the family Potoroidae, the most recent classification[1] places it in the family Hypsiprymnodontidae with prehistoric rat-kangaroos.
It is the smallest macropod that is quadrupedal and only diurnal. The musky rat-kangaroo is approximately 1 foot long and has a hairless tail, and eats fallen fruit and large seeds, as well as small invertebrates. [3]
It moves by extending its body and then bringing both of its hind legs forward, and uses an opposable digit on the hind foot to climb trees.[3]
References
- ^ Groves, C. (2005). Wilson, D. E., & Reeder, D. M, eds. ed. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 56. OCLC 62265494. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3.
- ^ Burnett, S., Winter, J. & Martin, R. (2008). Hypsiprymnodon moschatus. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 29 December 2008. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
- ^ a b McKay, G. (Ed.). (1999). Mammals (p. 60). San Francisco: Weldon Owen Inc. ISBN 1-875137-59-9
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Unreviewed
