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

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{{Taxobox  
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{{Taxobox
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| image = Dasyurus_viverrinus.jpg
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| name = Quokka
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| image_caption = Eastern Quoll
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| status = VU
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| name = Eastern Quoll<ref name = MSW3>{{MSW3 Groves|pages=25}}</ref>
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| trend = down
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| status = LR/nt
 
 
| status_system = iucn2.3
 
| status_system = iucn2.3
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| trend = down
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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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| 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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| image = Rottnest Quokka 2004 SeanMcClean.jpg
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| regnum = [[Animalia]]
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| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
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| phylum = [[Chordata]]
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| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
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| classis = [[Mammalia]]
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| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
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| ordo = [[Dasyuromorphia]]
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| infraclassis = [[Marsupial]]ia
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| familia = [[Dasyuridae]]
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| ordo = [[Diprotodontia]]
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| genus = ''[[Dasyurus]]''
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| familia = [[Macropodidae]]
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| species = '''''D. viverrinus'''''
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| subfamilia = [[Macropodinae]]
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| binomial = ''Dasyurus viverrinus''
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| genus = '''''Setonix'''''
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| binomial_authority = ([[George Shaw|Shaw]], 1800)
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| genus_authority = [[René-Primevère Lesson|Lesson]], 1842
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| range_map = Dasyurus viverrinus distribution map.PNG
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| species = '''''S. brachyurus'''''
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| range_map_caption = Distribution of Eastern Quoll
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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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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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[[Image:Quokka Rottnest Island 2008.jpg|thumb|right|299px|Quokka, Rottnest Island, Western Australia]]
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The '''Quokka''' (''Setonix brachyurus''), the only member of the genus '''''guit''''', is a small [[macropod]] about the size of a large domestic cat.<ref name=MSW3>{{MSW3 Groves|pages=69}}</ref> 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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In the wild, its roaming is restricted to a very small range in the South-West of Western Australia. The Quokka has become rare, but remains a protected species on islands off the coast of that area, [[Bald Island]], [[Rottnest Island]], [[Garden Island (Western Australia)|Garden Island]] and rarely [[Penguin Island (Western Australia)|Penguin Island]]. The islands are free of foxes and cats. On Rottnest Island, it is common and occupies a wide range of habitats, ranging from semi-arid scrub to cultivated gardens.
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==Description==
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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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==Behaviour==
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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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== Taxonomy ==
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The Quokka's movements are similar to a kangaroo, using mixture of small and large hops.
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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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== Description ==
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==Interaction with humans==
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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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== Behaviour ==
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The Quokka has no fear of humans and it is common for it to hop up close enough to humans, particularly on Rottnest Island. It is, however, illegal for members of the public on Rottnest Island to handle the animals in any way. An infringement notice carrying a [[Australian Dollar|A$]]100 fine can be issued by the Rottnest Island Authority for such behaviour,<ref>Rottnest Island Regulations 1988 (WA), rr 40 & 73; sched. 4</ref> however prosecution of the offence can result in a fine of up to $1000.<ref>Rottnest Island Regulations 1988 (WA), r 40</ref> Such fines are implemented in the rare cases that Quokkas are abused or killed by visitors to Rottnest.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/01/12/wquok12.xml " Rare marsupials kicked to death in 'quokka soccer'"], ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'', 2003</ref>
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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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==Status==
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[[Image:Quokka - melbourne zoo.jpg|thumb|Quokka, Melbourne Zoo]]
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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 and habitat has been taken away from the Quokka by agricultural development, and this 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, as has the clearing and burning of the remaining swamplands the Quokka have left.
  
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== Threats ==
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==European discovery==
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[[Image:Eastern Quoll (Black).JPG|thumb|right|220px|A black eastern quoll photographed in Tasmania.]]
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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 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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== Mainland extinction ==
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==Name==
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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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The word ''quokka'' is derived from a [[Noongar#Language|Nyungar]] word, which was probably ''gwaga''.<ref>{{cite book |author=Dixon, R.M.W.; Moore, Bruce; Ramson, W. S.; Thomas, Mandy |year=2006 |title=Australian Aboriginal Words in English: Their Origin and Meaning |edition=2nd ed. |location=Oxford |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=0-19-554073-5}}</ref>
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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). ome,<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 S 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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== References ==
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==References==
 
{{reflist}}
 
{{reflist}}
  
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== External links ==
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==External links==
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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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{{commons|Setonix brachyurus|Quokka}}
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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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*ARKive - [http://www.arkive.org/species/GES/mammals/Setonix_brachyurus/ images and movies of the quokka ''(Setonix brachyurus)'']
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*[http://www.easterbilby.com/marsupialpets.html]
 
  
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{{Dasyuromorphia|D.D.}}
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{{Diprotodontia|M.}}
  
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[[Category:Dasyuromorphs]]
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[[Category:Macropods]]
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[[Category:Mammals of Tasmania]]
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[[Category:Nyungar words and phrases]]
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[[Category:Extinct mammals of South Australia]]
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[[Category:Vulnerable fauna of Australia]]
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[[Category:Mammals of New South Wales]]
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[[Category:Mammals of Western Australia]]
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[[Category:Mammals of Victoria]]
 
 
[[Category:Marsupials of Australia]]
 
[[Category:Marsupials of Australia]]
  
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[[cs:Kunovec tečkovaný]]
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[[cs:Klokan quokka]]
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[[de:Tüpfelbeutelmarder]]
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[[de:Quokka]]
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[[es:Dasyurus viverrinus]]
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[[eo:Kvokao]]
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[[fr:Chat marsupial moucheté]]
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[[fr:Quokka]]
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[[hu:Foltos erszényesnyest]]
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[[gl:Quokka]]
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[[la:Dasyurus viverrinus]]
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[[hu:Kurtafarkú kenguru]]
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[[lt:Viverinė sterbliakiaunė]]
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[[it:Setonix brachyurus]]
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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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[[nl:Quokka]]
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[[zh:東袋鼬]]
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[[pl:Kuoka]]

Revision as of 16:19, 27 May 2008

Template:Taxobox

Quokka, Rottnest Island, Western Australia

The Quokka (Setonix brachyurus), the only member of the genus guit, is a small macropod about the size of a large domestic cat.& Like other marsupials in the macropod family (such as the kangaroos and wallabies), the Quokka is herbivorous and mainly nocturnal.

Ecology

In the wild, its roaming is restricted to a very small range in the South-West of Western Australia. The Quokka has become rare, but remains a protected species on islands off the coast of that area, Bald Island, Rottnest Island, Garden Island and rarely Penguin Island. The islands are free of foxes and cats. On Rottnest Island, it is common and occupies a wide range of habitats, ranging from semi-arid scrub to cultivated gardens.

Description

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. The Quokka recycles a small amount of its waste products.

Behaviour

The Quokka is gregarious and gathers in large groups where food is available: primary items are grasses, sedges, 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 in a year. Restricted availability of the trace element copper appears to be a major limiting factor of the ability of the Quokka to breed on Rottnest.

The Quokka's movements are similar to a kangaroo, using mixture of small and large hops.

Interaction with humans

The Quokka has no fear of humans and it is common for it to hop up close enough to humans, particularly on Rottnest Island. It is, however, illegal for members of the public on Rottnest Island to handle the animals in any way. An infringement notice carrying a A$100 fine can be issued by the Rottnest Island Authority for such behaviour,& however prosecution of the offence can result in a fine of up to $1000.& Such fines are implemented in the rare cases that Quokkas are abused or killed by visitors to Rottnest.&

Status

Quokka, Melbourne Zoo

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 and habitat has been taken away from the Quokka by agricultural development, and this 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, as has the clearing and burning of the remaining swamplands the Quokka have left.

European discovery

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".

Name

The word quokka is derived from a Nyungar word, which was probably gwaga.&

References

  1. ↑ Template:MSW3 Groves
  2. ↑ Rottnest Island Regulations 1988 (WA), rr 40 & 73; sched. 4
  3. ↑ Rottnest Island Regulations 1988 (WA), r 40
  4. ↑ " Rare marsupials kicked to death in 'quokka soccer'", The Daily Telegraph, 2003
  5. ↑ Dixon, R.M.W.; Moore, Bruce; Ramson, W. S.; Thomas, Mandy (2006). Australian Aboriginal Words in English: Their Origin and Meaning (2nd ed. ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. Template:Hide in printTemplate:Only in print.

External links

Template:Commons

Template:Diprotodontia

cs:Klokan quokka de:Quokka eo:Kvokao fr:Quokka gl:Quokka hu:Kurtafarkú kenguru it:Setonix brachyurus ja:クアッカワラビー属 nl:Quokka pl:Kuoka

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