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| − | {{Taxobox | + | {{honor_header|??|????|South Pacific Division<br>2001 Edition}} |
| − | | color = pink | + | ==1. Distinguish:== |
| − | | name = Quokka | + | ===a. Mammal from other animals.=== |
| − | | status = VU | + | ===b. Placentals, marsupials and monotremes from one another.=== |
| − | | trend = down
| + | ==2. Understand how marsupials are classified into families and describe, in a general way, the habits of these families.== |
| − | | status_system = iucn2.3
| + | ==3. Describe the distribution, habitat (ie. type of country they live in), diet breeding behavior, as well as any other interesting information of twelve different groups of marsupials and monotremes.== |
| − | | image = Rottnest Quokka 2004 SeanMcClean.jpg
| + | ==4. Be able to explain the difference between marsupial reproduction and that in true mammals (ie. placentals).== |
| − | | regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| + | ==5. Explain the significance of the direction of opening of the pouch and the number of young per litter in marsupials.== |
| − | | phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| + | ==6. Give an explanation of the unique occurrence of marsupials in Australia.== |
| − | | classis = [[Mammal]]ia
| + | ==7. Be able to explain the need for conservation of our marsupials.== |
| − | | infraclassis = [[Marsupialia]]
| + | ==8. Write a report of your visit to a natural history museum, wild-life sanctuary, zoo, etc. indicating in about 10-15 lines, the extent of your observations.== |
| − | | ordo = [[Diprotodontia]]
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| − | | familia = [[Macropodidae]]
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| − | | subfamilia = [[Macropodinae]]
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| − | | genus = '''''Setonix'''''
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| − | | genus_authority = [[René-Primevère Lesson|Lesson]], 1842
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| − | | species = '''''S. brachyurus'''''
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| − | | binomial = ''Setonix brachyurus''
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| − | | binomial_authority = ([[Jean René Constant Quoy|Quoy]] & [[Joseph Paul Gaimard|Gaimard]], 1830)
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| − | }}
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| − | The '''Quokka''' (''Setonix brachyurus'') is a small [[macropod]], about the size of a large domestic cat. Like other [[marsupial]]s in the macropod family (such as the [[kangaroo]]s and [[wallabies]]), the Quokka is herbivorous and mainly nocturnal.
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| − | In the wild, it is now restricted to a very small range in mainland south-western [[Western Australia]], where it has become rare, and on two cat-free and [[fox]]-free islands off the coast: [[Bald Island]] and [[Rottnest Island]] — which is its stronghold. On Rottnest it is common and occupies a wide range of habitats, ranging from semi-arid scrub to cultivated gardens.
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| − | The Quokka is the only member of the genus '''''Setonix'''''. It weighs 2.5 to 5 kg and is 40 to 54 cm long with a 25 to 30 cm tail — which is rather short for a macropod. It has a stocky build, rounded ears, and a short, broad head. Although looking rather like a very small, dumpy kangaroo, it can climb small trees and shrubs. Its coarse fur is a grizzled brown colour, fading to buff underneath.
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| − | The Quokka is gregarious and gathers in large groups where food is available: primary items are [[Poaceae|grasses]], [[Cyperaceae|sedges]], [[Succulent plant|succulents]] and foliage. The health of some animals has suffered significantly by the ingestion of inappropriate foods, such as bread, given by well meaning visitors to Rottnest Island. Visitors are now asked to refrain from feeding them. It breeds at any time on the mainland, but in late summer on Rottnest. The Quokka only produces a single [[joey (marsupial)|joey]] in a year. Restricted availability of the [[Micromineral|trace element]] [[copper]] appears to be a major limiting factor of the ability of the Quokka to breed on Rottnest.
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| − | Although numerous on the small offshore islands, it has a very restricted range and is classified as vulnerable. On the mainland, where it must contend with introduced species, it requires dense ground cover for refuge.
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| − | The Quokka was one of the first Australian mammals seen by Europeans. The Dutch mariner Samuel Volckertzoon wrote of sighting "a wild cat" on Rottnest Island in 1658. In 1696 [[Willem de Vlamingh]] mistook them for rats and named the island "Rottenest", Dutch for "rat nest".
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| | ==References== | | ==References== |
| − | * {{IUCN2006|assessors=Australasian Marsupial & Monotreme Specialist Group|year=1996|id=20165|title=Setonix brachyurus|downloaded=11 May 2006}} Listed as Vulnerable (VU A1bce, C1 v2.3)
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| − | *{{MSW3 Groves|pages=69}}
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| − | ==External links==
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| − | *ARKive - [http://www.arkive.org/species/GES/mammals/Setonix_brachyurus/ images and movies of the quokka ''(Setonix brachyurus)'']
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| − | [[Category:Macropods]]
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| − | [[Category:Mammals of Australia]]
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| − | [[de:Quokka]] | + | [[Category:Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book]] |
| − | [[eo:Kvokao]]
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| − | [[fr:Quokka]]
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| − | [[ja:クアッカワラビー属]]
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| − | [[nl:Quokka]]
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| − | [[pl:Kuoka]]
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