Subtropical antechinus
The subtropical antechinus (Antechinus subtropicus) is a species of small carnivorous marsupial of the family Dasyuridae.
| Subtropical antechinus[1] | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Infraclass: | Marsupialia |
| Order: | Dasyuromorphia |
| Family: | Dasyuridae |
| Genus: | Antechinus |
| Species: | A. subtropicus |
| Binomial name | |
| Antechinus subtropicus Van Dyck & Crowther, 2000 | |
 | |
| Subtropical antechinus range | |
Taxonomy
It was previously thought to be conspecific with the brown antechinus (Antechinus stuartii).
Description
It is difficult to distinguish it from its close relatives, but its significant features include a long and narrow muzzle and a generally mid-brown colour. It is the largest of the brown antechinus complex. It mainly eats insects and after mating, all of the males die of stress-related diseases, like many other species in this family.[3]
Distribution and habitat
The subtropical antechinus is found south from Gympie in Queensland, Australia, to the far northeast of New South Wales, where it is essentially restricted to subtropical vine forest below 1000 m elevation. A relict population is also found in Dorrigo National Park.
References
- Groves, C. P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 30. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. OCLC 62265494.
- Burnett, S.; Dickman, C. (2016). "Antechinus subtropicus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T136755A21946164. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T136755A21946164.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- Menkhorst, Peter (2001). A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Oxford University Press. p. 252.