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

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{{Taxobox
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{{Taxobox | color = pink
| color = pink
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| image = Dasyurus_viverrinus.jpg
| name = Quokka<ref name=MSW3>{{MSW3 Groves|pages=69}}</ref>
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| image_width = 220px
| status = VU
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| image_caption = Eastern Quoll
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| name = Eastern Quoll
 +
| status = LR/nt
 
| trend = down
 
| trend = down
| status_system = iucn2.3
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| regnum = [[Animalia]]
| 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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| phylum = [[Chordata]]
| image = Rottnest Quokka 2004 SeanMcClean.jpg
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| classis = [[Mammalia]]
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
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| ordo = [[Dasyuromorphia]]
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
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| familia = [[Dasyuridae]]
| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
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| genus = ''[[Dasyurus]]''
| infraclassis = [[Marsupial]]ia
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| species = '''''D. viverrinus'''''
| ordo = [[Diprotodontia]]
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| binomial = ''Dasyurus viverrinus''
| familia = [[Macropodidae]]
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| binomial_authority = ([[George Shaw|Shaw]], 1800)
| subfamilia = [[Macropodinae]]
 
| genus = '''''Setonix'''''
 
| genus_authority = [[René-Primevère Lesson|Lesson]], 1842
 
| species = '''''S. brachyurus'''''
 
| binomial = ''Setonix brachyurus''
 
| binomial_authority = ([[Jean René Constant Quoy|Quoy]] & [[Joseph Paul Gaimard|Gaimard]], 1830)
 
 
}}
 
}}
[[Image:Quokka - melbourne zoo.jpg|thumb|Quokka, Melbourne Zoo]]
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The '''Eastern Quoll''', ''Dasyurus viverrinus'', 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]].
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.  
 
  
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- and [[fox]]-free islands off the coast of that area, [[Bald Island]] and [[Rottnest Island]], which are 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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== Description ==
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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.
  
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.
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== Behaviour ==
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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]].
  
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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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.
  
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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== Threats ==
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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.
  
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 ==
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* {{IUCN2006|assessors=Australasian Marsupial & Monotreme Specialist Group|year=1996|id=6296|title=Dasyurus viverrinus|downloaded=11 May 2006}}
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*{{MSW3 Groves|pages=25}}
  
==References==
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== External links ==
{{references-small}}
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*[http://warrawong.com/meet_the_animals.html Eastern Quolls at Warrawong Sanctuary, the largest captive breeding program in mainland Australia.]
  
==External links==
 
*ARKive - [http://www.arkive.org/species/GES/mammals/Setonix_brachyurus/ images and movies of the quokka ''(Setonix brachyurus)'']
 
 
[[Category:Macropods]]
 
 
[[Category:Mammals of Australia]]
 
[[Category:Mammals of Australia]]
[[Category:Australian Aboriginal terms]]
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[[Category:Dasyuromorphs]]
  
[[cs:Klokan quokka]]
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[[cs:Kunovec tečkovaný]]
[[de:Quokka]]
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[[de:Tüpfelbeutelmarder]]
[[eo:Kvokao]]
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[[es:Dasyurus viverrinus]]
[[fr:Quokka]]
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[[lt:Viverinė sterbliakiaunė]]
[[gl:Quokka]]
 
[[nl:Quokka]]
 
[[ja:クアッカワラビー属]]
 
[[pl:Kuoka]]
 

Revision as of 16:48, 21 January 2007

Template:Taxobox The Eastern Quoll, Dasyurus viverrinus, 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.

References

External links

cs:Kunovec tečkovaný de:Tüpfelbeutelmarder es:Dasyurus viverrinus lt:Viverinė sterbliakiaunė