Antechinus leo — Details

Cinnamon Antechinus learn more about names for this taxon

Overview

Distribution

Range Description

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This species is known from the east coast of the Cape York Peninsula of Queensland, Australia, occurring from the McIlwraith Range to the Iron Range (Maxwell et al. 1996; Leung 2008). The elevational range is sea level to 800 m.
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Ecology

Habitat

Habitat and Ecology

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Habitat and Ecology
The species occurs in semi-deciduous mesophyll vine forest, particularly where there is a lot of ground cover. It can be found both in mature and secondary forest, but in the latter it only occurs when adjacent to mature rainforest (Maxwell et al. 1996). The species is semi-arboreal and insectivorous, nesting in hollows.

Systems
  • Terrestrial
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Life History and Behavior

Life Expectancy

Lifespan, longevity, and ageing

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Observations: Little is known about the longevity of these animals but they appear to live at least 2 years (Fisher et al. 2001).
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Conservation

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List Assessment

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Red List Category
LC
Least Concern

Red List Criteria

Version
3.1

Year Assessed
2008

Assessor/s
Burnett, S. & Winter, J.

Reviewer/s
Lamoreux, J. & Hilton-Taylor, C. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)

Justification
Listed as Least Concern even though the species has a very restricted distribution its habitat is secure, and the species is not thought to be declining.

History
  • 1996
    Lower Risk/near threatened
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Population

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Population
It is locally common within its limited range (Menkhorst 2001; Leung 2008).

Population Trend
Stable
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Threats

Threats

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Major Threats
No current threats to the species are apparent; however, timber cutting (selective logging) has been proposed in the Lockhart River area, and this could result in declines. 1080 baiting to control pigs and wild dogs may be resulting in incidental poisoning of some animals.
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Management

Conservation Actions

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Conservation Actions
The species is present in protected areas, including the Iron Range National Park; there are negotiations underway to declare additional national parks in the McIlwraith area.
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Wikipedia

Cinnamon Antechinus

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The Cinnamon Antechinus (Antechinus leo), also known as the Iron Ranges Antechinus and the Cape York Antechinus, is a species of small carnivorous marsupial of the family Dasyuridae. It is the only mammal endemic to Cape York Peninsula, being confined to semi-deciduous forest around the McIlraith and Iron Ranges. Along with the Atherton Antechinus (Antechinus godmani), it is the rarest in its genus.[3]

Contents

Taxonomy

The Cinnamon Antechinus was not scientifically described until 1980. It had previously been confused with both the Yellow-footed Antechinus (A. flavipes rubeculus) and the Atherton Antechinus (A. godmani). A member of the dasyurid family, the species name of the Cinnamon Antechinus, leo, refers to the lion-like cinnamon colour of its fur.[4]

Description

The Cinnamon Antechinus is one of the largest of the antechinuses, and is more rufous than its relatives. It is nocturnal and arboreal, and feeds on various invertebrates. Like all antechinuses, the males die following the breeding season.[3]

The Cinnamon Antechinus, as its name implies, has mostly cinnamon-coloured fur, although it does have a darker mid-head stripe.[4] Its mating season is in September.[3]

Distribution and habitat

The Cinnamon Antechinus has a very restricted range, being completely confined to a small area on Cape York Peninsula, where it inhabits semi-deciduous rainforest. Despite being locally common, it was once classed as near threatened by the IUCN due to the limits of its distribution.

References

  1. ^ Groves, C. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. eds. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 29. OCLC 62265494. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3. 
  2. ^ Burnett, S. & Winter, J. (2008). Antechinus leo. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 09 October 2008.
  3. ^ a b c Menkhorst, Peter (2001). A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Oxford University Press. p. 54. ISBN 0-19-550870-X. 
  4. ^ a b Leung, L.K-P. (1995). "Cinnamon Antechinus". In Strahan, Ronald. The Mammals of Australia. Reed Books. pp. 91–92 
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