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

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{{Taxobox | color = pink
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{{Taxobox
| image = Tüpfelbeutelmarder brehm.png
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| color = pink
| image_caption = Eastern Quoll
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| name = Quokka
| name = Eastern Quoll
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| status = VU
| status = {{StatusNearConcern}}
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| trend = down
| regnum = [[Animalia]]
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| status_system = iucn2.3
| phylum = [[Chordata]]
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| image = Rottnest Quokka 2004 SeanMcClean.jpg
| classis = [[Mammalia]]
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| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| ordo = [[Dasyuromorphia]]
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| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| familia = [[Dasyuridae]]
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| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
| genus = ''[[Dasyurus]]''
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| subclassis = [[Marsupial]]ia
| species = '''''D. viverrinus'''''
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| ordo = [[Diprotodontia]]
| binomial = ''Dasyurus viverrinus''
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| familia = [[Macropodidae]]
| binomial_authority = ([[George Shaw|Shaw]], 1800)
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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)
 
}}
 
}}
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]].
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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.  
  
== Description ==
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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 [[fox]]-free islands off the coast: [[Bald Island]] and [[Rottnest Island]] &#8212; which is its stronghold. On Rottnest it is common and occupies a wide range of habitats, ranging from semi-arid scrub to cultivated gardens.
The Eastern Quoll is generally about the size of a small [[domestic cat]], with an adult male averaging 60cm and weighing approximatly 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 [[Spot-Tail Quoll]] by their slender build, pointed snout and lack of spots on the tail.
 
  
== Behaviour ==
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Quokkas are the only member of the genus '''''Setonix'''''. They are 40 to 54 [[centimeter|cm]] long with a 25 to 30 cm tail &#8212; which is rather short for a macropod. They have a stocky build, rounded ears, and a short, broad head. Although looking rather like a very small, dumpy kangaroo, they can climb small trees and shrubs. Their coarse fur is a grizzled brown colour, fading to buff underneath.
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.
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Quokkas are gregarious and gather in large groups where food is available: primary items are [[Poaceae|grasses]], [[Cyperaceae|sedges]], [[Succulent plant|succulents]] and foliage. They breed at any time on the mainland, but in late summer on Rottnest. Quokkas only produce 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 Quokkas to breed on Rottnest.
  
== Threats ==
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Although numerous on the small offshore islands, they have a very restricted range and are classified as vulnerable. On the mainland, where they must contend with introduced foxes, they require dense ground cover for refuge.
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.
 
  
== References ==
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Quokkas were 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".
*{{MSW3 Groves|pages=25}}
 
  
== External links ==
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==References==
*[http://www.esl.com.au/quoll.htm Eastern Quolls at Warrawong Earth Sanctuary, the largest captive breeding program in mainland Australia.]
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* {{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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quokkas are a smaller wallaby
  
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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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[[Image:Quokka-Raffi Kojian-CIMG6317.JPG|thumb|300px|left|Quokka adult and joey]]
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[[Category:Macropods]]
 
[[Category:Mammals of Australia]]
 
[[Category:Mammals of Australia]]
[[category:Dasyuromorphs]]
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[[de:Quokka]]
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[[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]]

Revision as of 10:03, 13 June 2006

Template:Taxobox The Quokka (Setonix brachyurus) 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.

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 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.

Quokkas are the only member of the genus Setonix. They are 40 to 54 cm long with a 25 to 30 cm tail — which is rather short for a macropod. They have a stocky build, rounded ears, and a short, broad head. Although looking rather like a very small, dumpy kangaroo, they can climb small trees and shrubs. Their coarse fur is a grizzled brown colour, fading to buff underneath.

Quokkas are gregarious and gather in large groups where food is available: primary items are grasses, sedges, succulents and foliage. They breed at any time on the mainland, but in late summer on Rottnest. Quokkas only produce a single joey in a year. Restricted availability of the trace element copper appears to be a major limiting factor of the ability of Quokkas to breed on Rottnest.

Although numerous on the small offshore islands, they have a very restricted range and are classified as vulnerable. On the mainland, where they must contend with introduced foxes, they require dense ground cover for refuge.

Quokkas were 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".

References

quokkas are a smaller wallaby

External links

Quokka adult and joey

de:Quokka eo:Kvokao fr:Quokka ja:クアッカワラビー属 nl:Quokka