Ningaui
| Ningauis[1] | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Infraclass: | Marsupialia |
| Order: | Dasyuromorphia |
| Family: | Dasyuridae |
| Subfamily: | Sminthopsinae |
| Tribe: | Sminthopsini |
| Genus: | Ningaui Archer, 1975 |
| Type species | |
| Ningaui timealeyi Archer, 1975 | |
| Species | |
Ningauis, members of the genus Ningaui, are small members of the dasyurid family. Along with the planigales, they are among the smallest marsupials. They are related to the dunnarts and are restricted to arid regions of Australia.[2]
All ningauis are nocturnal hunters of invertebrates. In appearance they resemble mice or similar small rodents, but can be distinguished by their pointed snouts. The genus Ningaui was one of the last of the Australian marsupial genera to be erected; this occurred with the surprise discovery of the Wongai ningaui (N. ridei) and the Pilbara ningaui (N. timealeyi) in 1975.[2]
The name "ningaui" refers to a creature from Aboriginal myth.[3]
Species
The three species of ningaui are:[1]
- Wongai ningaui, Ningaui ridei
- Pilbara ningaui, Ningaui timealeyi
- Southern ningaui, Ningaui yvonneae
References
- 1 2 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. 27. OCLC 62265494. ISBN 0-801-88221-4.
- 1 2 Menkhorst, Peter (2001). A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Oxford University Press. p. 62.
- ↑ McKenzie, N.L.; Dickman, C.R. (1995). "Wongai Ningaui". In Strahan, Ronald. The Mammals of Australia. Reed Books. pp. 116–117. ISBN 0-7301-0484-2.
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