The Common Echymipera is widely distributed throughout New Guinea (Indonesia and Papua New Guinea) and neighbouring islands in the Bismarck Archipelago of Papua New Guinea, the eastern Moluccas of Indonesia, and Yapen and Biak-Supiori islands of Indonesia. It ranges from sea level to 2,000 m (but usually below 1,200 m) asl.

Echymipera kalubu is found in New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago, and Mysol Island. It is most abundant in lowland New Guinea. Nowak (1991)

Echymipera kalubu is a relatively small mammal that slightly resembles a mouse but with distinctly marsupial features. Its combined head and body length ranges from 225 mm to 380 mm, and its tail length averages 75 mm. It has a long slender snout and stiff, spiny pelage. The dorsal section of the body varies in color, including bright reddish brown, dark coppery brown, black mixed with yellow, or black interspersed with tawny. The anterior section is usually buffy or brownish. It may be difficult to distinguish E. kalubu from related species E. rufescens and E. clara, but Flannery (1985) noted at least five characteristics unique to E. kalubu: 1) the lack of any trace of a black pad on the foot; 2) the presence of guard hairs of which only 1/5 are light-tipped; 3 ) its shorter, more rounder ears; 4) a shorter naked muzzle; and 5) a distinct crown on the head. Flannery (1995), Nowak (1991)

Average mass: 650 g.

Habitat and Ecology

Systems

• Terrestrial

The habitats of E. kalubu are diverse. It is principally a forest species, but it has been found to occupy marshy grassland and coffee plantations. The animal becomes rarer at higher elevation. Within the forest, E. kalubu tunnel underneath the false floor of rotting vegetation in a pit-pit stand. Intensive activity is thus associated with recent tree fall and subsequent dense growth of secondary vegetation. Favorite places of foraging include decayed logs, gardens, and pit-pit. The animals can travel up to 1,550 meters or cover 0.5 hectare per night. Flannery (1995), Nowak (1991)

Terrestrial Biomes: forest

Echymipera kalubu is a true omnivore. The species feed on invertebrates (e.g. insect grubs, earthworms, snails, slugs) and fruits (e.g. fallen banana bunches and papaya). Flannery (1985) recently suggested that these animals may be slightly more frugivorous than expected, as stomach contents consist mainly of seeds and fruit pulp. Anderson, Berry, Amos, Cook(1988)

Observations: Not much is known about the longevity of these animals, but one captive specimen lived for 2.7 years (Richard Weigl 2005).

Echymipera kalubu is very fecund as breeding occurs throughout the year and begins at a very early age. Females can carry young when they reach as little as 450 grams, and males reach sexual maturity, with testes fully developed, at 300-500 grams. The gestation period for E. kalubu is 120 days and frequently, one to three young are found in the female's pouch. Anderson, et al. (1988), Flannery (1995)

Echymipera kalubu is not a threatened species and is considered one of the more common mammals in New Guinea. However, one researcher (Flannery 1995) noticed a drastic decline of the species in the village of Betaviyp near Yapsiei, Sandaun Province, from 1984 to 1986. The introduction of predatory cats in 1984 and 1985 was believed to be the cause of their decline. Anderson et al. (1988), Flannery (1995)

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

Population

Population Trend

Major Threats

Conservation Actions

Historically, E. kalubu was not a vital economic resource to humans. In the Madong area, it was sporadically hunted by burning Kunai grasslands. Flannery (1995)