Short-eared rock-wallaby
| Short-eared rock-wallaby[1] | |
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| Short-eared rock-wallaby in Kakadu National Park | |
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| Species: | brachyotis
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| Binomial name | |
| Petrogale brachyotis (Gould, 1841)
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| Short-eared rock-wallaby range | |
The short-eared rock-wallaby (Petrogale brachyotis) is a species of rock-wallaby found in northern Australia, in the northernmost parts of Northern Territory and Western Australia. It is much larger than its two closest relatives, the nabarlek (Petrogale concinna) and the monjon (Petrogale burbidgei).[3]
The short-eared rock-wallaby is a gregarious vegetarian, found in rocky hills and gorges. It is variable in its appearance but is generally grey-brown with white areas around its face and legs. It is not considered threatened.[3]
In 2014 a genetic and morphological study identified a separate species, the Eastern short-eared rock-wallaby (Petrogale wilkinsi), previously thought to be P. brachyotis. It occurs in the Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks, weighs less, and has stronger markings and colouring.[4]
A number of subspecies have been recognised, but these may be invalid.[1]
In Aboriginal language and culture
Speakers of Kunwinjku in West Arnhem Land call the wallaby badbong, and people would traditionally travel with spears into the escarpment to hunt them.[5]
References
- ^ a b 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. 67. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. OCLC 62265494.
- ^ Template:IUCN2008
- ^ a b Menkhorst, Peter (2001). A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Oxford University Press. p. 126.
- ^ Potter, Sally (22 December 2014). "Hiding in plain sight: a new marsupial species for Australia". The Australian Museum. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
- ^ Garde, Murray. "badbong". Bininj Kunwok dictionary. Bininj Kunwok Regional Language Centre. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
External links
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