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

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{{Taxobox
 
{{Taxobox
 
| color = pink
 
| color = pink
| name = Quolls<ref name=msw3>{{MSW3 Groves|pages=24-25}}</ref>
+
| name = Quokka<ref name=MSW3>{{MSW3 Groves|pages=69}}</ref>
| image = Dasyurus viverrinus.jpg
+
| status = VU
| image_width = 200px
+
| trend = down
| image_caption = [[Eastern Quoll]] (''Dasyurus viverrinus'')
+
| status_system = iucn2.3
 +
| status_ref = <ref name=IUCN>{{IUCN2006 | assessors = Australasian Marsupial & Monotreme Specialist Group | year = 1996 | id = 20165 | title = Setonix brachyurus | downloaded = 6 May 2006}}</ref>
 +
| image = Rottnest Quokka 2004 SeanMcClean.jpg
 
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
 
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
 
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
 
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
 
| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
 
| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
 
| infraclassis = [[Marsupial]]ia
 
| infraclassis = [[Marsupial]]ia
| ordo = [[Dasyuromorphia]]
+
| ordo = [[Diprotodontia]]
| familia = [[Dasyuridae]]
+
| familia = [[Macropodidae]]
| subfamilia = [[Dasyurinae]]
+
| subfamilia = [[Macropodinae]]
| tribus = [[Dasyurini]]
+
| genus = '''''Setonix'''''
| genus = '''''Dasyurus'''''
+
| genus_authority = [[René-Primevère Lesson|Lesson]], 1842
| genus_authority = [[Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire|É. Geoffroy]], 1796
+
| species = '''''S. brachyurus'''''
| type_species = ''[[Eastern Quoll|Didelphis maculata]]''
+
| binomial = ''Setonix brachyurus''
| type_species_authority = [[anonymous|Anon.]], 1791<br>(= ''Didelphis viverrina'' [[George Shaw|Shaw]], 1800
+
| binomial_authority = ([[Jean René Constant Quoy|Quoy]] & [[Joseph Paul Gaimard|Gaimard]], 1830)
| subdivision_ranks = [[Species]]
 
| subdivision =
 
See text.
 
 
}}
 
}}
'''Quolls''' or '''native cats''' (genus '''''Dasyurus''''') are [[carnivorous]] [[marsupial]]s, native to [[Australia]] and [[Papua New Guinea]]. Adults are between 25 and 75&nbsp;[[Centimeter|cm]] long, with hairy tails about 20-35&nbsp;cm long. Females have six to eight nipples and develop a pouch&mdash;which opens towards the tail&mdash;only during the breeding season, when they are rearing young. The babies are the size of a grain of rice. Quolls live both in forests and in open valley land. Though primarily ground-dwelling, they have developed secondary arboreal characteristics. They do not have prehensile tails, but do have ridges on the pads of their feet.<ref name=mammals>{{cite book | title = Mammals | author = McCay, George | publisher = Fog City Press | year = 1999}}</ref> Their molars and canines are strongly developed.  
+
[[Image:Quokka - melbourne zoo.jpg|thumb|Quokka, Melbourne Zoo]]
 +
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.  
  
The tribe [[Dasyurini]] to which quolls belong also includes the [[Tasmanian Devil]], [[antechinus]]es, the [[Kowari]], and [[mulgara]]s.<ref name=msw3/>
+
==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 two islands off the coast of that area, [[Bald Island]] and [[Rottnest Island]]. Both 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.
  
== Taxonomy ==
+
==Classification==
Within the genus ''Dasyurus'', the following species exist:<ref name=msw3/>
+
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.
* [[New Guinean Quoll]], ''Dasyurus albopunctatus'', New Guinea
 
* [[Western Quoll]] or Chuditch, ''Dasyurus geoffroii'', western Australia
 
* [[Northern Quoll]], ''Dasyurus hallucatus'', northern Australia
 
* [[Tiger Quoll]] or Spotted Quoll, ''Dasyurus maculatus'', eastern Australia
 
* [[Bronze Quoll]], ''Dasyurus spartacus'', New Guinea
 
* [[Eastern Quoll]], ''Dasyurus viverrinus'', [[Tasmania]] (formerly mainland eastern Australia)
 
  
Different species of quolls show little difference in body shape, though they do have distinguishing characteristics. For example, the Tiger Quoll can be identified by its white spots and large canines.<ref name=mammals/>
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==Behavior==
 +
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.
  
The name ''Dasyurus'' means "hairy-tail",<ref name=Strahan>{{Citation|last1=Serena|first1=M.|last2=Soderquist|first2=T.|year=1995|contribution=Western Quoll|editor-first=Ronald|editor-last=Strahan|title=The Mammals of Australia|publisher=Reed Books|pages=62-64}}</ref> and was coined by [[Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire]] in 1796. The first species described, the [[Tiger Quoll]], was originally placed in the [[opossum|American opossum]] genus ''[[Didelphis]]''.
+
==Status==
 +
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.
 +
 
 +
==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".
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
{{reflist}}
 
{{reflist}}
  
{{marsupial-stub}}
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==External links==
{{MEA-expand}}
+
{{commons|Setonix brachyurus|Quokka}}
 +
*ARKive - [http://www.arkive.org/species/GES/mammals/Setonix_brachyurus/ images and movies of the quokka ''(Setonix brachyurus)'']
  
[[Category:Dasyuromorphs]]
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[[Category:Macropods]]
 +
[[Category:Mammals of Australia]]
 
[[Category:Australian Aboriginal words and phrases]]
 
[[Category:Australian Aboriginal words and phrases]]
[[Category:Mammals of Australia]]
 
  
[[de:Beutelmarder]]
+
[[cs:Klokan quokka]]
[[es:Dasyurus]]
+
[[de:Quokka]]
[[fr:Dasyurus]]
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[[eo:Kvokao]]
[[nl:Buidelmarters]]
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[[fr:Quokka]]
[[pl:Dasyurus]]
+
[[gl:Quokka]]
[[pt:Quoll]]
+
[[nl:Quokka]]
[[ru:Сумчатая куница]]
+
[[ja:クアッカワラビー属]]
[[zh:袋鼬属]]
+
[[pl:Kuoka]]
They live underground in tunnels
 

Revision as of 08:50, 21 August 2007

Template:Taxobox

Quokka, Melbourne Zoo

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.

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 two islands off the coast of that area, Bald Island and Rottnest Island. Both 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.

Classification

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

Behavior

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.

Status

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.

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".

References

External links

Template:Commons

cs:Klokan quokka de:Quokka eo:Kvokao fr:Quokka gl:Quokka nl:Quokka ja:クアッカワラビー属 pl:Kuoka