Difference between revisions of "AY Honors/Marsupials/Answer Key"

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{{Taxobox
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{{Taxobox | color = pink
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| color = pink
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| image = Dasyurus_viverrinus.jpg
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| name = Quokka<ref name=MSW3>{{MSW3 Groves|pages=69}}</ref>
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| image_width = 220px
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| status = VU
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| image_caption = Eastern Quoll
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| name = Eastern Quoll<ref name = MSW3>{{MSW3 Groves|pages=25}}</ref>
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| status = EN
 
| trend = down
 
| trend = down
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| status_system = iucn2.3
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| status_ref = <ref>{{IUCN2006|assessors=Australasian Marsupial & Monotreme Specialist Group|year=1996|id=6296|title=Dasyurus viverrinus|downloaded=11 May 2006}}</ref>
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| status_ref = <ref name=IUCN>{{IUCN2006 | assessors = Australasian Marsupial & Monotreme Specialist Group | year = 1996 | id = 20165 | title = Setonix brachyurus | downloaded = 6 May 2006}}</ref>
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| regnum = [[Animalia]]
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| image = Rottnest Quokka 2004 SeanMcClean.jpg
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| phylum = [[Chordata]]
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| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
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| classis = [[Mammalia]]
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| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
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| ordo = [[Dasyuromorphia]]
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| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
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| familia = [[Dasyuridae]]
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| infraclassis = [[Marsupial]]ia
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| genus = ''[[Dasyurus]]''
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| ordo = [[Diprotodontia]]
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| species = '''''D. viverrinus'''''
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| familia = [[Macropodidae]]
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| binomial = ''Dasyurus viverrinus''
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| subfamilia = [[Macropodinae]]
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| binomial_authority = ([[George Shaw|Shaw]], 1800)
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| genus = '''''Setonix'''''
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| range_map = Dasyurus viverrinus distribution map.PNG
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| genus_authority = [[René-Primevère Lesson|Lesson]], 1842
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| range_map_caption = Distribution of Eastern Quoll
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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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[[Image:Quokka - melbourne zoo.jpg|thumb|Quokka, Melbourne Zoo]]
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The '''Eastern Quoll''' (''Dasyurus viverrinus''), also known as the '''Eastern Native Cat''', is a medium-sized [[carnivorous]] [[dasyurid]] [[marsupial]] native to [[Australia]].  They are now considered extinct on the mainland, but remain widespread and even locally common in [[Tasmania]]. It is one of six extant species of [[quoll]].
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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 [[Wallaby|wallabies]]), the Quokka is herbivorous and mainly nocturnal.  
 
  
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==Ecology==
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== Description ==
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In the wild, its roaming is restricted to a very small range in the South-West of Australia, [[Western Australia]]. The Quokka has become rare, but remains a protected species on two islands off the coast of that area, [[Bald Island]] and [[Rottnest Island]] - which are its stronghold. Both islands are free of foxes and cats.  On Rottnest  Island, (a name that translates to "Rat's nest") - it is common and occupies a wide range of habitats, ranging from semi-arid scrub to cultivated gardens.
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[[Image:Tüpfelbeutelmarder brehm.png|thumb|left|220px|Illustration of an Eastern Quoll by [[Brehms Tierleben]].]]
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The Eastern Quoll is generally about the size of a small [[domestic cat]], with an adult male averaging 60cm and weighing approximately 1.3kg.  Their thick coat is covered by white spots, and ranges in colour from a light fawn to a near black, with an off-white belly.  They can be distinguished from the [[Tiger Quoll]] by their slender build, pointed snout and lack of spots on the tail.
  
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==Classification==
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== Behaviour ==
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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 &mdash; 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. The Quokka recycles a small amount of its waste products.
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The Eastern Quoll is a solitary predator, hunting at night for its prey of insects and small mammals.  They have also been known to scavenge food from the much larger [[Tasmanian Devil]].
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The breeding season begins in early winter, and the female gives birth to up to 30 young. Of these, the first to attach themselves to the six teats will be the only survivors. Weaning takes place at about 10 weeks of age, with the young staying in the den whilst the mother forages.
  
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==Behavior==
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== Threats ==
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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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[[Image:Eastern Quoll (Black).JPG|thumb|right|220px|A black eastern quoll photographed in Tasmania.]]
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The main threats to the Eastern Quoll are competition and predation from feral cats and illegal poisoning and trapping. The lack of [[fox]]es and [[dingo]]es in Tasmania is believed to have contributed to the survival of the species.
  
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==Status==
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== Mainland extinction ==
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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 is threatened by introduced predatory species such as foxes, it requires dense ground cover for refuge. This refuge has been taken away from the Quokka due to loss of habitat due to agriculture which has contributed to the decline of the Quokka as well. Also human introduced cats and dogs, as well as dingoes, have contributed to the problem along with the clearing and burning of the remaining swamplands they have left. 
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The last mainland Eastern Quoll specimen was collected as roadkill in [[Sydney]]'s Nielsen Park, [[Vaucluse]] on 31 January 1963.<ref name="AMDB">{{cite web|url=http://www.amonline.net.au/mammals/collections/sydney/record.cfm?id=281
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|title=Sydney mammals database, Eastern Quoll|author=Australian Museum|publisher=Australian Museum|date=2003|accessdaymonth=12 February |accessyear=2007}}</ref> The National Parks and Wildlife service reports numerous unconfirmed sightings up until 1999 (the year of the report),<ref name="NPWS">{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/PDFs/tsprofile_eastern_quoll.pdf
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|title=Threatened Species Information, Eastern Quoll|author=National Parks and Wildlife Service|publisher=National Parks and Wildlife Service|date=1999|accessdaymonth=12 February |accessyear=2007}}</ref> and the species was reported sighted as recently as 2006.<ref name="Hawkesbury">{{cite web|url=http://www.hawkesbury.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=lifestyle%20news&subclass=habitat&story_id=527302&category=environment
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|title="Extinct" marsupial may be alive and well - NSW|author=Rebecca Lang|publisher=Hawkesbury News|date=2006-11-01|accessdaymonth=12 February |accessyear=2007}}</ref>
  
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==European discovery==
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==Classification==
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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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The Eastern Quoll is a member of the family [[Dasyuridae]], which includes most carnivorous [[marsupial]]s. Its species name, ''viverrinus'', indicatest that it is "ferret-like".<ref name=Strahan>{{Citation|last1=Godsell|first=J.|contribution=Eastern Quoll|title=The Mammals of Australia|year=1995|publisher=Reed Books|pages=70-71|editor-first=Ronald|editor-last=Strahan}}</ref> The species was first described in 1800 by [[George Shaw]], who placed it in the [[opossum]] genus ''[[Didelphis]]'', along with the only other then-known [[quoll]], the [[Tiger Quoll]].
  
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==References==
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== References ==
 
{{reflist}}
 
{{reflist}}
  
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==External links==
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== External links ==
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{{commons|Setonix brachyurus|Quokka}}
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*[http://warrawong.com/meet_the_animals.html Eastern Quolls at Warrawong Sanctuary, the largest captive breeding program in mainland Australia.]
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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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*[http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/PDFs/tsprofile_eastern_quoll.pdf National Parks and Wildlife Service Threatened Species Information - Eastern Quoll.]
  
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[[Category:Macropods]]
 
 
[[Category:Mammals of Australia]]
 
[[Category:Mammals of Australia]]
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[[Category:Australian Aboriginal words and phrases]]
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[[Category:Dasyuromorphs]]
  
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[[cs:Klokan quokka]]
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[[cs:Kunovec tečkovaný]]
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[[de:Quokka]]
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[[de:Tüpfelbeutelmarder]]
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[[eo:Kvokao]]
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[[es:Dasyurus viverrinus]]
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[[fr:Quokka]]
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[[fr:Chat marsupial moucheté]]
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[[gl:Quokka]]
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[[lt:Viverinė sterbliakiaunė]]
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[[nl:Quokka]]
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[[nl:Gevlekte buidelmarter]]
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[[ja:クアッカワラビー属]]
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[[pl:Niełaz plamisty]]
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[[pl:Kuoka]]
 

Revision as of 02:14, 11 August 2007

Template:Taxobox The Eastern Quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus), also known as the Eastern Native Cat, is a medium-sized carnivorous dasyurid marsupial native to Australia. They are now considered extinct on the mainland, but remain widespread and even locally common in Tasmania. It is one of six extant species of quoll.

Description

Illustration of an Eastern Quoll by Brehms Tierleben.

The Eastern Quoll is generally about the size of a small domestic cat, with an adult male averaging 60cm and weighing approximately 1.3kg. Their thick coat is covered by white spots, and ranges in colour from a light fawn to a near black, with an off-white belly. They can be distinguished from the Tiger Quoll by their slender build, pointed snout and lack of spots on the tail.

Behaviour

The Eastern Quoll is a solitary predator, hunting at night for its prey of insects and small mammals. They have also been known to scavenge food from the much larger Tasmanian Devil.

The breeding season begins in early winter, and the female gives birth to up to 30 young. Of these, the first to attach themselves to the six teats will be the only survivors. Weaning takes place at about 10 weeks of age, with the young staying in the den whilst the mother forages.

Threats

A black eastern quoll photographed in Tasmania.

The main threats to the Eastern Quoll are competition and predation from feral cats and illegal poisoning and trapping. The lack of foxes and dingoes in Tasmania is believed to have contributed to the survival of the species.

Mainland extinction

The last mainland Eastern Quoll specimen was collected as roadkill in Sydney's Nielsen Park, Vaucluse on 31 January 1963.& The National Parks and Wildlife service reports numerous unconfirmed sightings up until 1999 (the year of the report),& and the species was reported sighted as recently as 2006.&

Classification

The Eastern Quoll is a member of the family Dasyuridae, which includes most carnivorous marsupials. Its species name, viverrinus, indicatest that it is "ferret-like".& The species was first described in 1800 by George Shaw, who placed it in the opossum genus Didelphis, along with the only other then-known quoll, the Tiger Quoll.

References

  1. ↑ Australian Museum (2003). "Sydney mammals database, Eastern Quoll". Australian Museum. http://www.amonline.net.au/mammals/collections/sydney/record.cfm?id=281. Retrieved 2007.
  2. ↑ National Parks and Wildlife Service (1999). "Threatened Species Information, Eastern Quoll". National Parks and Wildlife Service. http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/PDFs/tsprofile_eastern_quoll.pdf. Retrieved 2007.
  3. ↑ Rebecca Lang (2006-11-01). ""Extinct" marsupial may be alive and well - NSW". Hawkesbury News. http://www.hawkesbury.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=lifestyle%20news&subclass=habitat&story_id=527302&category=environment. Retrieved 2007.
  4. ↑ Template:Citation

External links

cs:Kunovec tečkovaný de:Tüpfelbeutelmarder es:Dasyurus viverrinus fr:Chat marsupial moucheté lt:Viverinė sterbliakiaunė nl:Gevlekte buidelmarter pl:Niełaz plamisty

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