Nabarlek

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Nabarlek
Petrogale cocinna Gould Mamm Aust vol 2 plate 48.jpg
Petrogale cocinna by John Gould and H. C. Richter, Mammals of Australia (1863)
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Marsupialia
Order: Diprotodontia
Family: Macropodidae
Genus: Petrogale
Species:
P. concinna
Binomial name
Petrogale concinna
Gould, 1842 [2]
Nabarlek area.png
Distribution within Australia (green)
Synonyms
  • Petrogale concinna canescens(Thomas, 1909)
  • Petrogale concinna monastria(Thomas, 1926)

The nabarlek (Petrogale concinna) is a small species of macropod found in northern Australia. They are a shy and nocturnal animal that resides in rocky hollows and forages in the surrounding area. Their diet is grasses, sedges, and ferns found in and around their scrub covered refuges. They are distinguished by a reddish tinge to the mostly grey fur and a distinct stripe at the cheek. They move with great speed and agility when observed, with a forward leaning posture and a bushy tail that arches over the back.

Contents

Etymology

The name comes from the Kunwinjku language of West Arnhem Land. [3] The animal has also lent its name to the well known rock group from the area, Nabarlek.

Taxonomy

John Gould presented a description of this species to the Zoological Society of London in 1842, which was published in its Proceedings and introduced by the presiding chair William Yarrell as "two new species of Kangaroo". [2] [4] The affinities of the species have been recognised in several ways, including an arrangement that sees it placed with the 'brachyotis species group'. Other authors had separated this species to a new genus Peradorcas, producing a new combination Peradorcas concinna, although the revision by D. J. Kitchener of Petrogale did not recognise this treatment and this is maintained by other authorities. The locality of the type specimen is Wyndham, Western Australia. [4] The specimen was collected and brought to England on the voyage of HMS Beagle. [2]

Nabarlek is most closely related to the monjon and to the short-eared rock-wallaby Petrogale brachyotis .[ citation needed ] It was formerly considered distinct enough to be assigned its own genus, Peradorcas but it is now considered to belong, like the rest of the rock-wallabies, in the genus Petrogale . [4]

The common name designated for a similar species, monjon for P. burbidgei, is also used to refer this species in the Kimberley region; the two species are however known to be distinct by the indigenous people from whose language the name derives. [5] Common names for the species include the little rock-wallaby [6] [7] or pygmy rock-wallaby.

Subspecies

Three subspecies have been recognised: [8]

The nominate subspecies, found at the Top End, follows Gould's original description.

The Arnhem Land population. The description for this subspecies was published by Oldfield Thomas after examination of new specimens that confirmed morphological distinctions in different localities. The type specimen, already held at the British Museum, was collected in 1902 by J. T. Tunney; he had killed this animal at Nellie Creek. [9]

A subspecies restricted to the Kimberley region.

Description

A species of Petrogale , the rock wallabies, distinguished by its small size. The pelage is a grey colour, with reddish highlights at the fore-arm, legs and hind parts. The tail is also reddish grey, with a bushy end of coarser hair that begins two thirds along its length, the total length may be from 260 to 335 millimetres. The cheek is marked with a whitish stripe from the eye to the nostrils, a lighter tone that contrasts with the blackish parts of the snout. Another darker stripe is found below the eye and down the neck, the region beneath the fore-arm is also blackish. The head and body length combined in 310 to 365 mm, the smallest of the genus but for P. burbidgei. The measurement of the hindfoot is 95 to 105 mm, the ear from base to tip is 41 to 45 mm. The weight range is from 1.2 to 1.6 kilograms. [6]

The dentition of P. cocinna is unique amongst the marsupial species, with the supernumerary molars being continually replaced. These teeth emerge in a regular size and shape, with each row containing four to six molars and another that is yet to erupt. The early loss of the premolar appears to allow this regeneration to continue throughout their life. [7]

Nabarlek is often found with the similar P. brachyotis, whose coloration is more variable, and a young individual may be indistinguishable from this species in field observations. [10]

Behaviour

Nabarlek move quickly with a distinctive horizontal posture, the tail curled toward the middle of the back with raised hairs in the tufty end. The species has a timid disposition, although is somewhat gregarious in associations with others. Their feeding and other activities is usually nocturnal, and they may range beyond their refuge to forage.

The species will range several hundred metres from its secure position, foraging in the surrounding black soil terrain, this contrasts with the less venturous behaviour of the short-eared P. brachyotis. [7]

The discrete and cautious nature of narbarlek makes capture of specimens difficult, they are regarded as 'trap-shy' in attempts to survey their population. [10]

Diet

The diet includes a variety of plants, including grasses, ferns and sedges. [6] The plants consumed in Arnhem land during the wet season are the grass species of Eriachne and the sedges Cyperus cuspidatus and species of Fimbristylis , which occur in soils above the flood levels. The change in season has the species seek shelter during the day in sandstone formations and forage at local billabongs for a fern species Marsilea crenata .

The high percentage of silica in its diet, 15 to 25% in some foliage, was proposed to have favoured the continual regeneration of molars. [7] Attempts to locate the high silica fern in later surveys have not recorded Marsilea crenata at any sites, and the complex relationship between diet and dentition remains to be examined. [10]

Distribution and habitat

The nabarlek is found in three distinct and geographically remote populations, one in Arnhem Land which includes Groote Eylandt, a larger island in the Gulf of Carpentaria, and another population between the Mary and Victoria Rivers at the Top End of the continent. The population in the northwest Kimberley region is confined to the coastal areas and on some of the islands in the Bonaparte Archipelago, these are Borda, Long, Hidden and Augustus Islands. [6]

The habitat is usually scrubby vegetation over sandstone formations, granitic outcrops, breakaways of laterite, boulder piles and rocky slopes. [6]

Conservation

It is classified as Endangered by the IUCN.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wallaby</span> Macropods of Australia and New Guinea

A wallaby is a small or middle-sized macropod native to Australia and New Guinea, with introduced populations in New Zealand, Hawaii, the United Kingdom and other countries. They belong to the same taxonomic family as kangaroos and sometimes the same genus, but kangaroos are specifically categorised into the four largest species of the family. The term "wallaby" is an informal designation generally used for any macropod that is smaller than a kangaroo or a wallaroo that has not been designated otherwise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Macropodidae</span> Family of marsupial mammals

Macropodidae is a family of marsupials that includes kangaroos, wallabies, tree-kangaroos, wallaroos, pademelons, quokkas, and several other groups. These genera are allied to the suborder Macropodiformes, containing other macropods, and are native to the Australian continent, New Guinea and nearby islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-footed rock-wallaby</span> Species of marsupial

The yellow-footed rock-wallaby, formerly known as the ring-tailed rock-wallaby, is a member of the macropod family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black-flanked rock-wallaby</span> Species of marsupial

The black-flanked rock-wallaby, also known as the black-footed rock-wallaby or warru, is a species of wallaby, one of several rock-wallabies in the genus Petrogale. A shy, nocturnal herbivore, its two main subspecies are found in mostly isolated populations across western and southern Western Australia (WA), the Northern Territory and parts of South Australia (SA). With some subspecies showing a decline in populations in recent years, the whole species is classed as an endangered species under the Commonwealth EPBC Act.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock-wallaby</span> Genus of marsupials

The rock-wallabies are the wallabies of the genus Petrogale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fawn antechinus</span> Species of marsupial

The fawn antechinus is a species of small carnivorous marsupial found in northern Australia. It is the only Antechinus to be found in the Northern Territory and has a patchy, restricted range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spectacled hare-wallaby</span> Species of marsupial

The spectacled hare-wallaby is a species of macropod found in Australia and New Guinea. In Australia, a small sub-population is found on Barrow Island, while the mainland type is widespread, though in decline, across northern regions of the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agile wallaby</span> Species of marsupial

The agile wallaby, also known as the sandy wallaby, is a species of wallaby found in northern Australia and southern New Guinea. It is the most common wallaby in north Australia. The agile wallaby is a sandy colour, becoming paler below. It is sometimes solitary and at other times sociable and grazes on grasses and other plants. The agile wallaby is not considered threatened.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black wallaroo</span> Species of marsupial

The black wallaroo, also known as Woodward's wallaroo, is a species of macropod restricted to a small, mountainous area in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia, between South Alligator River and Nabarlek. It classified as near threatened, mostly due to its limited distribution. A large proportion of the range is protected by Kakadu National Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Short-eared rock-wallaby</span> Species of marsupial

The short-eared rock-wallaby is a species of rock-wallaby found in northern Australia, in the northernmost parts of the Northern Territory and Western Australia. It is much larger than its three closest relatives, the eastern short-eared rock-wallaby, the nabarlek and the monjon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monjon</span> Species of marsupial

The monjon is the smallest species of rock-wallabies (Petrogale) and is found in north-west Australia. They are restricted to a small area of the Kimberley region and on nearby islands in the Bonaparte Archipelago. Common names also include Burbidge's rock-wallaby and Burbidge's rock-weasel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rothschild's rock-wallaby</span> Species of marsupial

Rothschild's rock-wallaby – sometimes known as the Roebourne rock-wallaby, is a species of macropod found in Western Australia, in the Pilbara district and the Dampier Archipelago. It is not currently considered to be threatened, but is at risk from the red fox.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allied rock-wallaby</span> Species of marsupial

The allied rock-wallaby or Weasel rock-wallaby is a species of rock-wallaby found in northeastern Queensland, Australia. It forms part of the P. lateralis/penicillata species complex and is very similar to six other species of rock-wallaby found in this area; these include the Cape York rock-wallaby (P. coenensis), the unadorned rock-wallaby (P. inornata), the Herbert's rock-wallaby (P. herberti), the Godman's rock-wallaby (P. godmani), the Mareeba rock-wallaby (P. mareeba) and the Mount Claro rock-wallaby (P. sharmani).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unadorned rock-wallaby</span> Species of marsupial

The unadorned rock-wallaby is a member of a group of closely related rock-wallabies found in northeastern Queensland, Australia. It is paler than most of its relatives and even plainer, hence its common name.

The grassland mosaic-tailed rat, or grassland melomys, is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is found in Australia and Papua New Guinea. In Australia it is found along the northern coast from Kimberley to New South Wales. In the Top End it is often found in Pandanus. Kunwinjku of western Arnhem Land call this animal mulbbu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern short-eared rock-wallaby</span> Species of marsupial

The eastern short-eared rock-wallaby or Wilkins' rock-wallaby is a species of rock-wallaby found in the northernmost parts of the Northern Territory of Australia, and is common in the Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks. It was thought to be a subpopulation of the short-eared rock-wallaby Petrogale brachyotis found in the Kimberley, but recent genetic and morphological studies have shown it to be distinct. Wilkins' rock-wallaby is smaller, has more distinct grey/brown markings on its head and sides, and more colourful limbs than the western species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Savanna glider</span> Species of Australian marsupial

The savanna glider is a species of arboreal gliding possum in the genus Petaurus.

References

  1. Woinarski, J.; Burbidge, A.A. (2016). "Petrogale concinna". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T16761A21955087. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T16761A21955087.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Gould, J. (1842). "On a New Species of Petrogale — P. concinna". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. 1842. Academic Press, [etc.]: 57.
  3. Garde, Murray. "nabarlek". Bininj Kunwok Online Dictionary. Bininj Kunwok Regional Language Centre. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  4. 1 2 3 Groves, C. P. (2005). "Order Diprotodontia". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 43–70. ISBN   978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC   62265494.
  5. Burbidge, Andrew A.; Fuller, Phillip J. (1990). "On the vernacular name of Petrogale burbidgei". Records of the Western Australian Museum. 14 (4): 645–646.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Menkhorst, P.W.; Knight, F. (2011). A field guide to the mammals of Australia (3rd ed.). Melbourne: Oxford University Press. p. 208. ISBN   9780195573954.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Sanson, G.D. (1983). "Nabarlek Petrogale cocinna". In Strahan, R. (ed.). Complete book of Australian mammals. The national photographic index of Australian wildlife (1 ed.). London: Angus & Robertson. pp. 291–293. ISBN   0207144540.
  8. "Petrogale concinna Gould, 1842complete". Australian Faunal Directory . Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  9. Thomas, O. (1909). "Two new mammals from N. Australia". The Annals and Magazine of Natural History; Zoology, Botany, and Geology. 8. 4 (21): 197–198. doi:10.1080/00222930908692661.
  10. 1 2 3 Churchill, S. (1997). "Habitat use, Distribution and Conservation Status of the Nabarlek, Petrogale concinna, and sympatric rock-dwelling mammals, in the Northern Territory". Australian Mammalogy. 19 (2): 297–308. doi:10.1071/AM97297.