| 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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
- ^ 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.