Northern mulgara
| Northern mulgara | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Infraclass: | Marsupialia |
| Order: | Dasyuromorphia |
| Family: | Dasyuridae |
| Genus: | Dasycercus |
| Species: | D. woolleyae |
| Binomial name | |
| Dasycercus woolleyae Newman-Martin & Travouillon, 2023 | |
The northern mulgara (Dasycercus woolleyae) is a newly described, and potentially extinct, species of mulgara.[1] The species is named after Dr. Patricia Woolley who previously worked on the genus Dasycercus, and has worked extensively with Australian dasyurids.
Description
The northern mulgara is externally very similar to the brush-tailed mulgara, with some individuals displaying the signature brushed tail. However, some individuals of the northern mulgara has also been observed with a crested tail, indicated that the character is polymorphic.[1]
Distribution
Museum specimens of the northern mulgara have been collected in the Tanami Desert, Simpson Desert, Gibson Desert, and Great Sandy Desert.[1] A large collection of specimens are from the Otto Lipfert Canning Stock Route expeditions in 1930-1931.[1][2] Here the northern mulgara (at the time believed to be the crest-tailed mulgara) and the brush-tailed mulgara were observed living in sympatry,[1][2] with the northern mulgara living in dune crests.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e Newman-Martin, Jake; Travouillon, Kenny J.; et al. (2023). "Taxonomic review of the genus Dasycercus (Dasyuromorphia: Dasyuridae) using modern and subfossil material; and the description of three new species". Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology. 47 (4): 624–661. Bibcode:2023Alch...47..624N. doi:10.1080/03115518.2023.2262083.
- ^ a b c Woolley, P. A.; Haslem, A.; Westerman, M. (2013-08-05). "Past and present distribution of Dasycercus: toward a better understanding of the identity of specimens in cave deposits and the conservation status of the currently recognised species D. blythi and D. cristicauda (Marsupialia : Dasyuridae)". Australian Journal of Zoology. 61 (4): 281–290. doi:10.1071/ZO13034. ISSN 1446-5698. S2CID 85132349.