Skip to main content
WCS
Menu
Library
Library Catalog
eJournals & eBooks
WCS Research
Archives
Research Use
Finding Aids
Digital Collections
WCS History
WCS Research
Research Publications
Science Data
Services for WCS Researchers
Archives Shop
Bronx Zoo
Department of Tropical Research
Browse By Product
About Us
FAQs
Intern or Volunteer
Staff
Donate
Search WCS.org
Search
search
Popular Search Terms
WCS History
Library and Archives
Library and Archives Menu
Library
Archives
WCS Research
Archives Shop
About Us
Donate
en
fr
Title
Sminthopsis griseoventer boullangerensis (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae), a new subspecies in the S. murina complex from Boullanger Island, Western Australia
Author(s)
Crowther M.S., Dickman C.R., Lvnam A.J.
Published
1999
Publisher
Australian Journal of Zoology
Abstract
A new subspecies from the Sminthopsis murina complex, Sminthopsis griseoventer boullangerensis, subsp. nov., is described from Boullanger Island, off the coast of Western Australia. This subspecies was considered previously to be identical to S. griseoventer griseoventer, which is common on the mainland of south-western Western Australia, but differs from it with fixed differences at three of 18 isozymes screened. It also differs from S. griseoventer griseoventer in having a relatively longer tail and no entoconids on the second and third molars, and being completely separated from it in a canonical variates analysis. It has not been given full species status as it differs very little in mitochondrial DNA control region sequences from S. griseoventer griseoventer. It differs from other members of the S. murina complex in its grey ventral pelage, distinctive tail morphology, relatively small palatal vacuities (with correspondingly greater inter-palatal vacuity distance), relatively larger bullae, and more brachycephalic skull. Sminthopsis griseoventer boullangerensis has a small population and extremely limited known distribution, and is considered endangered. Potential threats include competition from a high-density population of house mice on Boullanger Island, the possibility of fires and fetal predators being introduced to the island, and the increased risk of stochastic extinction that is consequent on small population size.
Keywords
SOUTH-EASTERN AUSTRALIA; ANTECHINUS
Access Full Text
A full-text copy of this article may be available. Please email the
WCS Library
to request.
Back
PUB12826