Biology
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Long-beaked echidnas are largely nocturnal and solitary (4). Echindas are sometimes known as spiny anteaters, although the long-beaked echidna feeds mainly on earthworms (3). The tongue has a series of spikes at the front, which are used to 'hook' and reel-in worms and other prey items (4). During the day, individuals seek refuge in burrows, hollow logs and cavities in the ground (4). The long-beaked echidna usually lays one egg into its pouch, which hatches after ten days (4); the infant then remains in the pouch until the spines develop (2). There are no teats; instead milk is lapped from 'milk patches' inside the pouch (2). When threatened, echidnas can erect their spines, and when on soft ground they can burrow down into the substrate so that the spine-free underside is protected. If on a hard surface they roll up into a ball, in a similar way to hedgehogs (2).
Biology
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Long-beaked echidnas are largely nocturnal and solitary (4). Echindas are sometimes known as spiny anteaters, although the long-beaked echidna feeds mainly on earthworms (3). The tongue has a series of spikes at the front, which are used to 'hook' and reel-in worms and other prey items (4). During the day, individuals seek refuge in burrows, hollow logs and cavities in the ground (4). The long-beaked echidna usually lays one egg into its pouch, which hatches after ten days (4); the infant then remains in the pouch until the spines develop (2). There are no teats; instead milk is lapped from 'milk patches' inside the pouch (2). When threatened, echidnas can erect their spines, and when on soft ground they can burrow down into the substrate so that the spine-free underside is protected. If on a hard surface they roll up into a ball, in a similar way to hedgehogs (2).
Conservation
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This echidna is fully protected in Irian Jaya; it is protected in Papua New Guinea but not from the traditional forms of hunting which continue there (3). The Australasian Marsupial and Monotreme Specialist Group of the IUCN (World Conservation Union) has recommended that priorities for the conservation of this species should include a public education programme, protection of all known populations and the initiation of research into captive breeding programmes (3). At present, captive individuals are only kept at Taronga Zoo, Sydney and a breeding programme is being attempted (6). The recent reclassification of the genus is particularly important for conservation efforts (6). The fossil evidence suggests that monotremes have changed very little during the last 100 million years (2), and urgent action is needed to protect this ancient and intriguing mammal from extinction.
Conservation
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This echidna is fully protected in Irian Jaya; it is protected in Papua New Guinea but not from the traditional forms of hunting which continue there (3). The Australasian Marsupial and Monotreme Specialist Group of the IUCN (World Conservation Union) has recommended that priorities for the conservation of this species should include a public education programme, protection of all known populations and the initiation of research into captive breeding programmes (3). At present, captive individuals are only kept at Taronga Zoo, Sydney and a breeding programme is being attempted (6). The recent reclassification of the genus is particularly important for conservation efforts (6). The fossil evidence suggests that monotremes have changed very little during the last 100 million years (2), and urgent action is needed to protect this ancient and intriguing mammal from extinction.
Description
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Long-beaked echidnas are egg-laying mammals, known as monotremes, a group that also includes the duck-billed platypus and the short-beaked echidna (4). The taxonomy of long-beaked echidnas has been contentious but currently three species are recognised: Zaglossus bruijnii, Z. bartoni (composed of 4 distinct subspecies) and Z. attenboroughi (6). Until recently only one species was acknowledged (Z. bruijnii) and as only small morphological differences distinguish this species from Z. bartoni it is difficult to tell individuals apart. In general, Zaglossus spp. have long, downward curving narrow snouts (2). The small mouth and large nostrils are located at the end of the snout and the tongue is long and agile (2). The limbs are powerful, with strong claws that are important in digging for food (5). Males can be distinguished from females by their larger size and the possession of a horny spur on the ankles of the hind limbs (2). The species within this genus range in size from the largest living monotremes at almost a metre long, to the small Zaglossus attenboroughi (6). There is a wide variety of colour and density of fur even within each species, ranging from black individuals in which the spines are barely noticeable, to sparsely haired paler echidnas (6). In general, Z. bruijnii is distinguished by the possession of three claws on the fore and hindfeet, whereas there are five on the forefeet of Z. bartoni and Z. attenboroughi (6). Z. attenboroughi is much smaller than the other species, possessing a shorter beak and shorter fur (6).
Description
provided by Arkive
Long-beaked echidnas are egg-laying mammals, known as monotremes, a group that also includes the duck-billed platypus and the short-beaked echidna (4). The taxonomy of long-beaked echidnas has been contentious but currently three species are recognised: Zaglossus bruijnii, Z. bartoni (composed of 4 distinct subspecies) and Z. attenboroughi (6). Until recently only one species was acknowledged (Z. bruijnii) and as only small morphological differences distinguish this species from Z. bartoni it is difficult to tell individuals apart. In general, Zaglossus spp. have long, downward curving narrow snouts (2). The small mouth and large nostrils are located at the end of the snout and the tongue is long and agile (2). The limbs are powerful, with strong claws that are important in digging for food (5). Males can be distinguished from females by their larger size and the possession of a horny spur on the ankles of the hind limbs (2). The species within this genus range in size from the largest living monotremes at almost a metre long, to the small Zaglossus attenboroughi (6). There is a wide variety of colour and density of fur even within each species, ranging from black individuals in which the spines are barely noticeable, to sparsely haired paler echidnas (6). In general, Z. bruijnii is distinguished by the possession of three claws on the fore and hindfeet, whereas there are five on the forefeet of Z. bartoni and Z. attenboroughi (6). Z. attenboroughi is much smaller than the other species, possessing a shorter beak and shorter fur (6).
Habitat
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Found in a great variety of altitudes, long-beaked echidnas have been recorded in both rainforest and alpine meadows (4).
Habitat
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Found in a great variety of altitudes, long-beaked echidnas have been recorded in both rainforest and alpine meadows (4).
Range
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Found only in mountainous regions of the island of New Guinea, in both Papua New Guinea in the west and Irian Jaya on the Indonesian side (2). The three species have distinct ranges; Z. bruijnii is found in the far west of New Guinea, Z. attenboroughi is known from a single mountain peak in the Cyclops Mountains, and Z. bartoni is principally found in a swathe along the centre of the island, where each of the 4 subspecies have separate ranges (6).
Range
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Found only in mountainous regions of the island of New Guinea, in both Papua New Guinea in the west and Irian Jaya on the Indonesian side (2). The three species have distinct ranges; Z. bruijnii is found in the far west of New Guinea, Z. attenboroughi is known from a single mountain peak in the Cyclops Mountains, and Z. bartoni is principally found in a swathe along the centre of the island, where each of the 4 subspecies have separate ranges (6).
Status
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Classified as Endangered (EN-A1ac) by the IUCN Red List 2002 (1), and listed under Appendix II of CITES (7).
Status
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Classified as Endangered (EN-A1ac) by the IUCN Red List 2002 (1), and listed under Appendix II of CITES (7).
Threats
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The decline of these echidnas is probably due mainly to hunting, which continues today with trained dogs (3). Other threats include habitat loss through logging, farming and mining (3). It may be that Z. attenboroughi is already extinct as the only known specimen was collected in 1961 and the species is presumed to be restricted to a single mountain summit with only 50km² of habitat (6).
Threats
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The decline of these echidnas is probably due mainly to hunting, which continues today with trained dogs (3). Other threats include habitat loss through logging, farming and mining (3). It may be that Z. attenboroughi is already extinct as the only known specimen was collected in 1961 and the species is presumed to be restricted to a single mountain summit with only 50km² of habitat (6).
Long-beaked echidna
provided by wikipedia EN
The long-beaked echidnas (genus Zaglossus) make up one of the two extant genera of echidnas, spiny monotremes that live in New Guinea; the other being the short-beaked echidna. There are three living species and one extinct species in this genus. The extinct species were present in Australia. Echidnas are one of the two types of mammals that lay eggs, the other being the platypus. The echidnas retain reptilian features such as egg-laying but display mammalian features such as fur and lactation.[2]
The Eastern species is listed as vulnerable, while Sir David's and western long-beaked echidna species are listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN.[3][4][5]
Species
Zaglossus attenboroughi
Zaglossus bartoni
Zaglossus bruijni
†Zaglossus robustus
- Habitat: New South Wales
- Time: Miocene
- Fossil
- This species is known from a fossil skull about 65 cm long.
- It had many spikes along its back to protect it from its predators and used them as a weapon.
General information
The long-beaked echidna is larger than the short-beaked and has fewer, shorter spines scattered among its coarse hairs. The snout is two-thirds of the head length and curves slightly downward. There are five digits on both hind and forefeet, but on the former, only the three middle toes are equipped with claws. Males have a spur on each of the hind legs. This echidna is primarily a nocturnal animal that forages for its insect food on the forest floor. The animals are not usually found foraging in the daylight. The long-beaked echidna lives in dens and they are commonly found to be in burrows.[6] The breeding female has a temporary abdominal brood patch, in which her egg is incubated and in which the newborn young remains in safety, feeding and developing. Since they reproduce by laying eggs and are incubated outside of the mother’s body it is accompanied by the prototherian lactation process show that they are early mammals. The long-beaked echidna has a short weaning period. During this time milk is their only source of nutrition and protection for the hatchlings; they are altricial and immunologically naive.[7] Like the other species of echidna, long-beaked echidnas have vestigial spurs on their hind legs. These spurs are part of a repressed venom system. Male spurs are nonfunctional and females usually lose their spurs as they age.[8] Little is known about the life of this rarely seen animal, but it is believed to have habits similar to those of the short-beaked echidna; unlike them, however, the long-beaked echidnas feed primarily on earthworms rather than ants. The population of echidnas in New Guinea is declining because of forest clearing and overhunting, and the animal is much in need of protection.
In a study published in 2015 it has been shown that Zaglossus spp. in captivity exhibited "handedness" when performing certain behaviors related to foraging, locomotion, and male-female interactions. The results of this study suggest that handedness in mammals is a basal trait rather than one derived several times in extant mammals.[9]
Evolutionary history
The long-beaked echidna's posture is similar to a lizard with its limbs in a sprawling stance. Although the stances are similar, the way the limbs move are very different. The echidna has a 45 degree swing while a lizards is more horizontal. They also walk with two legs on one side of the body moving together. [10]
See also
References
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^ Groves, C.P. (2005). "Order Monotremata". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 1–2. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
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^ Werneburg, I.; Sánchez-Villagra, M. R. (January 2011). "The early development of the echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus (Mammalia: Monotremata), and patterns of mammalian development". Acta Zoologica. 92: 75–88. doi:10.1111/j.1463-6395.2009.00447.x.
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^ a b Leary, T.; Seri, L.; Flannery, T.; Wright, D.; Hamilton, S.; Helgen, K.; Singadan, R.; Menzies, J.; Allison, A.; James, R.; Aplin, K.; Salas, L.; Dickman, C. (2016). "Zaglossus attenboroughi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T136322A21964353. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T136322A21964353.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021. Database entry includes justification for why this species is listed as critically endangered.
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^ a b Leary, T.; Seri, L.; Flannery, T.; Wright, D.; Hamilton, S.; Helgen, K.; Singadan, R.; Menzies, J.; Allison, A.; James, R.; Aplin, K.; Salas, L.; Dickman, C. (2016). "Zaglossus bartoni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T136552A21964496. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T136552A21964496.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021. Database entry includes justification for why this species is listed as critically endangered.
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^ a b Leary, T.; Seri, L.; Flannery, T.; Wright, D.; Hamilton, S.; Helgen, K.; Singadan, R.; Menzies, J.; Allison, A.; James, R.; Aplin, K.; Salas, L.; Dickman, C. (2016). "Zaglossus bruijnii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T23179A21964204. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T23179A21964204.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021. Database entry includes justification for why this species is listed as critically endangered
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^ Opiang, M. D. (April 2009). "Home ranges, movement, and den use in long-beaked echidnas, Zaglossus bartoni, from Papua New Guinea". Journal of Mammalogy. 90 (2): 340–346. doi:10.1644/08-MAMM-A-108.1.
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^ Bisana, S.; Kumar, S.; Rismiller, P.; Nicol, S. C.; Lefèvre, C.; Nicholas, K. R.; Sharp, J. A. (2013-01-09). "Identification and Functional Characterization of a Novel Monotreme- Specific Antibacterial Protein Expressed during Lactation". PLOS ONE. 8 (1): e53686. Bibcode:2013PLoSO...853686B. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0053686. PMC 3541144. PMID 23326486.
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^ Whittington, Camilla; Belov, Katherine; Whittington, Camilla M.; Belov, Katherine (2014). "Tracing Monotreme Venom Evolution in the Genomics Era". Toxins. 6 (4): 1260–1273. doi:10.3390/toxins6041260. PMC 4014732. PMID 24699339.
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^ Giljov, Andrey (30 October 2015). "First record of limb preferences in monotremes (Zaglossus spp.)". Australian Journal of Zoology. 63 (5): 320–323. doi:10.1071/ZO15043. S2CID 85780231.
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^ Gambaryan, P. P.; Kuznetsov, A. N. (2013). "An evolutionary perspective on the walking gait of the long-beaked echidna". Journal of Zoology. 290 (1): 58–67. doi:10.1111/jzo.12014. ISSN 1469-7998.
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Long-beaked echidna: Brief Summary
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The long-beaked echidnas (genus Zaglossus) make up one of the two extant genera of echidnas, spiny monotremes that live in New Guinea; the other being the short-beaked echidna. There are three living species and one extinct species in this genus. The extinct species were present in Australia. Echidnas are one of the two types of mammals that lay eggs, the other being the platypus. The echidnas retain reptilian features such as egg-laying but display mammalian features such as fur and lactation.
The Eastern species is listed as vulnerable, while Sir David's and western long-beaked echidna species are listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN.
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