Tree-kangaroo

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Tree-kangaroo
Temporal range: Pliocene–Recent
Matschies tree kangaroo Dendrolagus matschiei at Bronx Zoo 1 cropped.jpg
Matschie's tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus matschiei)
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Marsupialia
Order: Diprotodontia
Family: Macropodidae
Subfamily: Macropodinae
Genus: Dendrolagus
S. Müller, 1840
Type species
Dendrolagus ursinus
S. Müller, 1840
Species

About 12; see text

Tree-kangaroos are marsupials of the genus Dendrolagus, adapted for arboreal locomotion. They inhabit the tropical rainforests of New Guinea and far northeastern Queensland, Australia along with some of the islands in the region. All tree-kangaroos are considered threatened due to hunting and habitat destruction. They are the only true arboreal macropods. [1]

Contents

Evolutionary history

The evolutionary history of tree-kangaroos possibly begins with a rainforest floor-dwelling pademelon-like ancestor. [2] This ancestor possibly evolved from an arboreal possum-like ancestor as is suspected of all macropodid marsupials in Australia and New Guinea. During the late Eocene, the Australian/New Guinean continent began a period of drying that caused a retreat in the area of rainforest, [3] which forced the ancestral pademelons to begin living in a drier, rockier environment. After some generations of adaptation to the new environment, the pademelons may have evolved into rock-wallabies (Petrogale spp.), [2] which developed a generalist feeding strategy due to their dependence on a diverse assortment of vegetation refuges. [4] This generalist strategy allowed the rock-wallabies to easily adapt to Malesian rainforest types that were introduced to Australia from Asia during the mid-Miocene. [2] [3] The rock-wallabies that migrated into these introduced forests adapted to spend more time climbing trees. One species in particular, the Proserpine rock-wallaby (Petrogale persephone), displays equal preference for climbing trees as for living in rocky outcrops. [2] During the Late Miocene, the semi-arboreal rock-wallabies could have evolved into the now extinct tree-kangaroo genus Bohra . [5] Global cooling during the Pleistocene caused continent-wide drying and rainforest retractions in Australia and New Guinea. [6]

The rainforest contractions isolated populations of Bohra which resulted in the evolution of today's tree-kangaroos (Dendrolagus spp.), as they adapted to lifestyles in geographically small and diverse rainforest fragments, and became further specialized for a canopy-dwelling lifestyle. [7]

Taxonomy

Species

Goodfellow's tree-kangaroo at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Queensland, Australia Goodfellow's tree-kangaroo at Currumbin Wildlife Sancturary, Queensland, Australia.jpg
Goodfellow's tree-kangaroo at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Queensland, Australia

These species are assigned to the genus Dendrolagus: [8]

ImageScientific nameDistribution
Dendrolague.jpg Grizzled tree-kangaroo (D. inustus) Grizzled Tree Kangaroo area.png
Lumholtz's tree-kangaroo.jpg Lumholtz's tree-kangaroo (D. lumholtzi) Lumholtz's Tree Kangaroo area.png
Bennett's Tree-kangaroo mother & baby.jpg Bennett's tree-kangaroo (D. bennettianus) Bennett's Tree Kangaroo area.png
Dendrolagus ursinus Gould.jpg Ursine tree-kangaroo (D. ursinus) Ursine Tree Kangaroo area.png
WPZ - Matschie's Tree Kangaroo 03.jpg Matschie's tree-kangaroo (D. matschiei) Matschie's Tree Kangaroo area.png
Doria's tree-kangaroo (D. dorianus) Doria's Tree Kangaroo area.png
Ifola (D. notatus) Ifola Tree-kangaroo area.png
Seri's tree-kangaroo (D. stellarum) Seri's Tree Kangaroo area.png
Dendrolagus goodfellowi -Melbourne Zoo, Australia-8a.jpg Goodfellow's tree-kangaroo (D. goodfellowi) Goodfellow's Tree Kangaroo area.png
Golden-mantled tree-kangaroo (D. pulcherrimus) Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroo area.png
Lowlands tree-kangaroo (D. spadix) Lowlands Tree Kangaroo area.png
Dendrolagus mbaiso.jpg Dingiso (D. mbaiso) Dingiso area.png
Dendrolagus scottae2.jpg Tenkile (D. scottae) Tenkile area.png
Wondiwoi tree-kangaroo (D. mayri) (thought to be extinct until 2018) [9] Dendrolagus mayri map.png

Seri's tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus stellarum) has been described as a subspecies of Doria's tree-kangaroo (D. dorianus stellarum), [10] [11] but some recent authorities have treated it as a separate species based on its absolute diagnostability[ further explanation needed ]. [8]

The Wondiwoi tree-kangaroo is among the 25 "most wanted lost" species that are the focus of Global Wildlife Conservation's "Search for Lost Species" initiative. [12]

The extinct species D. noibano from the Pleistocene of Chimbu Province, Papua New Guinea is substantially larger than living species. [13] However, it has since been suggested to be a larger extinct form of Doria's tree-kangaroo. [14]

The case for the golden-mantled tree-kangaroo (D. pulcherrimus) is comparable to that of D. stellarum; it was first described as a subspecies of D. goodfellowi, [10] though recent authorities have elevated it to species status based on its absolute diagnostability. [8] A population of the tenkile (Scott's tree-kangaroo) recently discovered from the Bewani Mountains may represent an undescribed subspecies. [15]

Distribution and habitat

Tree-kangaroos inhabit the tropical rainforests of New Guinea, far northeastern Australia, and some of the islands in the region, in particular, the Schouten Islands and the Raja Ampat Islands. [16] Although most species are found in mountainous areas, several also occur in lowlands, such as the aptly named lowlands tree-kangaroo. Most tree-kangaroos are considered threatened due to hunting and habitat destruction. Because much of their lifestyle involves climbing and jumping between trees, they have evolved an appropriate method of locomotion. Tree-kangaroos thrive in the treetops, as opposed to terrestrial kangaroos which survive on mainland Australia. Two species of tree-kangaroos are found in Australia, Bennett's (D. bennetianus), which is found north of the Daintree River and Lumholtz's (D. lumholtzi). Tree-kangaroos have adapted better to regions of high altitudes. [17] Tree-kangaroos must find places comfortable and well-adapted for breeding, as they only give birth to one joey per year. They are known to have one of the most relaxed and leisurely birthing seasons. They breed cautiously in the treetops during the monsoon season. Their habitats are breeding grounds for danger, as they can easily fall prey to their natural predator, the amethystine python, which also climbs and lives in the treetops. Tree-kangaroos are known to be able to live in both mountainous regions and lowland locations. [18]

Description

Lumholtz's tree-kangaroo is the smallest of all tree-kangaroos. Its body and head length ranges about 48–65 cm (19–26 in), and its tail, 60–74 cm (24–29 in), with males weighing an average of 7.2 kg (16 lb) and females 5.9 kg (13 lb). The length of Doria's tree-kangaroo is 51–78 cm (20–31 in), with a long 44–66 cm (17–26 in) tail, and weighs 6.5–14.5 kg (14–32 lb). Matschie's tree-kangaroo has a body and head length of 81 cm (20 to 32 inches), adult males weigh 9–11 kg (20-25 lb) and adult females weigh 7–9 kg (15-20 lb). The grizzled tree-kangaroo grows to a length of 75–90 cm (30 to 35 in), with males being considerably larger than females, and its weight is 8–15 kg (18-33 lb).

Tree-kangaroos have several adaptations to an arboreal life-style. Compared to terrestrial kangaroos, tree-kangaroos have longer and broader hind feet with longer, curved nails. They also have a sponge-like grip on their paws and soles of their feet. Tree-kangaroos have a much larger and pendulous tail than terrestrial kangaroos, giving them enhanced balance while moving about the trees. Locomotion on the ground is by hopping, as with true kangaroos. Like terrestrial kangaroos, tree-kangaroos do not sweat to cool their bodies, rather, they lick their forearms and allow the moisture to evaporate in an adaptive form of behavioural thermoregulation. [19]

Behaviour

Locomotion

Tree-kangaroos are slow and clumsy on the ground. They move at approximately human walking pace and hop awkwardly, leaning their body far forward to balance the heavy tail. However, in trees, they are bold and agile. They climb by wrapping their forelimbs around the trunk of a tree and, while allowing the forelimbs to slide, hop up the tree using their powerful hind legs. They are expert leapers; 9 metres (30 ft) downward jumps from one tree to another have been recorded and they have the extraordinary ability to jump to the ground from 18 metres (59 ft) or more without being hurt.[ citation needed ]

Diet

The main diet of the tree-kangaroo is leaves and fruit that it gathers from the trees, but occasionally scavenged from the ground. Tree-kangaroos will also eat grains, flowers, various nuts, sap and tree bark. [19] Some captive tree-kangaroos (perhaps limited to New Guinea species) eat protein foods such as eggs, birds and snakes, making them omnivores. [2]

Reproduction

Little is known about the reproduction of tree-kangaroos in the wild. The only published data are from captive individuals. [20] Female tree-kangaroos reach sexual maturity as early as 2.04 years of age and males at 4.6 years. The female's fertile period is estimated to be approximately two months. They have one of the longest marsupial offspring development/maturation periods; pouch life for the young is 246–275 days long and weaning occurs 87–240 days later. [21]

Threats

The two most significant threats to tree-kangaroos are habitat loss and hunting. Tree-kangaroo habitats are being destroyed or replaced by logging and timber production, along with coffee, rice and wheat production. This habitat loss can make tree-kangaroos more exposed to predators such as feral domestic dogs. Being hunted by local community members also contributes markedly to the declines in tree-kangaroo populations. [19] Research conducted on Lumholtz's tree-kangaroo, a species that dwells in the rain forests of northeastern Australia, determined the frequency of causes of death. This showed that of 27 deceased tree-kangaroos, 11 had been killed by vehicles, six by dogs, four by parasites and the remaining six died from other causes. [22]

Captivity

As of 2021 five of the species are held in captivity. These include populations of Goodfellow's (D. goodfellowi) and Matschie's (D. matschiei), with smaller numbers of Lumholtz's (D. lumholtzi), Grizzled (D. inustus), and Doria's (D. dorianus) tree kangaroos. [23] These are being kept in a variety of facilities across North America, Oceania, and Europe, with smaller holdings in Asia. The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums coordinates with regional zoological associations to ensure the coordination of breeding programs to maintain viable breeding populations and genetic diversity outside of the wild populations.

In November 2014 at the Adelaide Zoo, an orphaned tree-kangaroo joey was transferred to the pouch of a yellow-footed rock-wallaby when his mother was killed by a falling branch. The joey survived, having been successfully reared by the surrogate mother rock-wallaby. [24]

On April 29, 2022, the Bronx Zoo announced the birth of a Matschie's tree kangaroo joey, the first of its species born at the zoo since 2008. The joey was the size of a human thumbnail at birth. [25]

See also

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">Matschie's tree-kangaroo</span> Species of marsupial

Matschie's tree-kangaroo, also known as the Huon tree-kangaroo is a tree-kangaroo native to the Huon Peninsula of northeastern New Guinea island, within the nation of Papua New Guinea. Under the IUCN classification, Matschie's tree-kangaroo is an endangered species. The scientific name honours German biologist Paul Matschie. The indigenous population refers to it as a Boongarry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goodfellow's tree-kangaroo</span> Species of marsupial

Goodfellow's tree-kangaroo, also called the ornate tree-kangaroo, is an endangered, long-tailed mammal native to rainforests of New Guinea. Like most tree-kangaroos, it lives in the treetops and feeds on leaves or other plant matter. It belongs to the macropod family (Macropodidae) along with kangaroos, and carries its young in a pouch like other marsupials. Its main threats are habitat loss and hunting. There are two subspecies: D. g. goodfellowi and D. g. buergersi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lumholtz's tree-kangaroo</span> Species of marsupial

Lumholtz's tree-kangaroo is a rare, long-tailed marsupial found in rainforests in northeastern Australia. Like most tree-kangaroos, it lives alone in trees and feeds on plant matter. It belongs to the macropod family (Macropodidae) with kangaroos, and carries its young in a pouch like other marsupials. It is threatened by climate change and diseases, and is found in the hilly, fertile Atherton Tableland near Cairns in north east Queensland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden-mantled tree-kangaroo</span> Species of marsupial

The golden-mantled tree-kangaroo is a critically endangered, furry, bear-like mammal found only in mountain rain forests on the island of New Guinea. Like other tree-kangaroos, it lives in trees and feeds on plant matter. It belongs to the macropod family (Macropodidae) with kangaroos, and carries its young in a pouch like other marsupials. The range is restricted to two small mountain areas in the north and it is threatened by hunting and habitat loss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doria's tree-kangaroo</span> Species of marsupial

Doria's tree-kangaroo is a long-tailed, furry, bear-like mammal found only in tropical mountain forests on the island of New Guinea. It is one of the largest tree-kangaroos, living alone in trees and active at night to feed on leaves or fruit. It belongs to the macropod family (Macropodidae) with kangaroos, and carries its young in a pouch like other marsupials. Threats include hunting and habitat loss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grizzled tree-kangaroo</span> Species of marsupial

The grizzled tree-kangaroo is a furry, long-tailed mammal native to tropical rainforests on the island of New Guinea. Like most tree-kangaroos, it lives in trees and eats leaves, fruit, and bark. It is a member of the macropod family Macropodidae and carries its young in a pouch like other marsupials. The tree-kangaroo is uncommon and threatened by hunting and habitat loss. It is found in foothill forests of northern and western New Guinea and is indigenous to some of the offshore islands.

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

The tenkile, also known as Scott's tree-kangaroo, is a species of tree-kangaroo in the family Macropodidae. It is endemic to a very small area of the Torricelli Mountains of Papua New Guinea. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests. It is threatened by habitat loss and by hunting. The tenkile is listed as endangered due to hunting and logging activities in Papua New Guinea. The tenkile is hunted for its meat, and has been a main protein source for the local tribespeople. The local human population has increased in recent years, increasing demand for tenkile meat. Additionally, tenkiles are poached for their fur and are captured and sold as a part of the illegal pet trade. Domesticated dogs also hunt tenkiles. Deforestation in Papua New Guinea affects all tree-kangaroos, and industrial logging that occurs in the Torricelli Mountain Range decreases the species' already restricted habitat. The Torricelli Mountain Range faces additional deforestation due to the timber industry, and the production of coffee, rice and wheat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Macropodinae</span> Subfamily of marsupials

Macropodinae is a subfamily of marsupials in the family Macropodidae, which includes the kangaroos, wallabies, and related species. The subfamily includes about ten genera and at least 51 species. It includes all living members of the Macropodidae except for the banded hare-wallaby, the only surviving member of the subfamily Lagostrophinae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seri's tree-kangaroo</span> Species of mammal

Seri's tree-kangaroo is a species of tree-kangaroo native and endemic to montane forests of west-central New Guinea. Seri's tree-kangaroo was originally considered to be a subspecies of Dendrolagus dorianus, but was elevated to species in 2005 by Groves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buergers' tree-kangaroo</span> Subspecies of marsupial

The Buergers' tree-kangaroo is a subspecies of the Goodfellow's tree-kangaroo from Papua New Guinea, where they dwell mainly in tropical rainforests. Their diet consists of mostly leaves and fruit, which they find both in trees and on the ground.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian scrub python</span> Species of snake

The Australian scrub python, also known commonly as Kinghorn's python and simply as the scrub python is a species of snake in the family Pythonidae. The species is indigenous to forests of northern Australia. It is one of the world's longest and largest snakes, and is the longest and largest in Australia. In 2014 it was reclassified to the genus Simalia alongside a few other former Morelia species, but scientific debate over this continues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wondiwoi tree-kangaroo</span> Species of marsupial

The Wondiwoi tree-kangaroo is a critically endangered, bear-like mammal native to tropical mountain forests on the island of New Guinea in Western Papua. Elusive and rare, it was considered extinct until rediscovery in 2018. It is a species of tree-kangaroo, a group of long-tailed, bear-like animals native to Australia and New Guinea that mostly live in trees and feed on plant matter. Tree-kangaroos belong to the macropod family (Macropodidae) with kangaroos, and carry their young in a pouch like most other marsupials. The Wondiwoi tree-kangaroo is likely threatened by hunting, and is known only from remote mountains on the Wondiwoi Peninsula in northwest New Guinea.

<i>Bohra</i> (mammal) Extinct genus of marsupials

Bohra is an extinct genus of macropod from the Plio-Pleistocene of Australia. It is closely related to modern tree kangaroos (Dendrolagus), and like them is thought to have had an arboreal lifestyle, with some species of Bohra substantially exceeding living tree kangaroos in size.

References

  1. ↑ Procter-Gray, E. & Gansiosser, U. (1987). "The individual behaviors of Lumholtz's Tree-Kangaroo: Repertoire and taxonomic iTree-kangaroosmplications". Journal of Mammalogy. 67 (2): 343–352. doi:10.2307/1380888. JSTOR   1380888.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Roger Martin, ed. (2005). Tree-kangaroos of Australia and New Guinea. CSIRO Publishing. ISBN   978-0-643-09072-9.
  3. 1 2 Archer, Mike (1991). Riversleigh: The Story of Animals in Ancient Rainforest of Inland Australia. Bangowlah, NSW: Reed Books.
  4. ↑ Tuft, KD; Crowther, M.S.; McArthur, C. (2011). "Multiple scales of diet selection of brush-tailed rock-wallabies (Petrogale penicillata)". Australian Mammalogy. 33 (2): 169–180. doi:10.1071/am10041.
  5. ↑ Flannery, Timothy; Martin, Roger; Szalay, Alexandra (1996). Tree-kangaroos: A Curious Natural History. Melbourne VIC: Reed Books. pp. 68–72. ISBN   978-0-7301-0492-6.
  6. ↑ Hopkins, M. S.; J. Ash; A. W. Graham; J. Head; R. K. Hewitt (1993). "Charcoal evidence of the spatial extent of the Eucalyptus woodland expansions and rainforest contractions in North Queensland during the late Pleistocene". Journal of Biogeography. 20 (4): 357–372. Bibcode:1993JBiog..20..357H. doi:10.2307/2845585. JSTOR   2845585.
  7. ↑ Prideaux, G. J., Warburton, N.M. (2010). Macropods. Collingwood, VIC: CSIRO. pp. 137–151.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. 1 2 3 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. pp. 59–61. ISBN   0-801-88221-4. OCLC   62265494.
  9. ↑ Solly, Meilan (27 September 2018). "Elusive Tree Kangaroo Spotted for First Time in 90 Years". Smithsonian. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  10. 1 2 Flannery, T. (1995). Mammals of New Guinea. Reed Books. ISBN   978-0-7301-0411-7.
  11. ↑ Nowak, R., ed. (1999). Walker's Mammals of the World (6th ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN   978-0-8018-5789-8.
  12. ↑ "The Search for Lost Species - Wondiwoi tree-kangaroo - Global Wildlife Conservation". Re:wild.org. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  13. ↑ Flannery, Tim F.; Seri, L. (16 November 1990). "Dendrolagus scottae n.sp. (Marsupialia: Macropodidae): a new tree-kangaroo from Papua New Guinea". Records of the Australian Museum. 42 (3): 237–245. doi: 10.3853/j.0067-1975.42.1990.117 . ISSN   0067-1975.
  14. ↑ Flannery, Timothy; Martin, Roger; Szalay, Alexandra (1996). Tree-kangaroos: A Curious Natural History. Melbourne, Victoria: Reed Books. ISBN   978-0-7301-0492-6.
  15. ↑ Tenkile Tree Kangaroo Archived 2014-02-25 at the Wayback Machine Tenkile Conservation Alliance
  16. ↑ "Matschie's Tree Kangaroos, Matschie's Tree Kangaroo Pictures, Matschie's Tree Kangaroo Facts - National Geographic". Animals.nationalgeographic.com. 23 October 2013. Archived from the original on 7 February 2010. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  17. ↑ Sullivan, R. (2007). "Treetop kangaroos". ABC.net.au. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  18. ↑ "Tree Kangaroo - Animal Facts and Information". Bioexpedition.com. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  19. 1 2 3 "WWF - Tree Kangaroo". Wwf.panda.org. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  20. ↑ "Tree-Kangaroo and Mammal Group - helping to conserve North Queensland's rich mammal fauna - TREE KANGAROO INFO". Tree-kangaroo.net. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  21. ↑ Johnson, P.M. & Delean, S. (2003). "Reproduction of Lumholtz's tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus lumholtzi (Marsupialia : Macropodidae) in captivity, with age estimation and development of the pouch young". Wildlife Research. 30 (5): 505–512. doi:10.1071/wr02090.
  22. ↑ Chambers, J. "Lumholtz Tree-kangaroo". Rainforest-australia.com. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  23. ↑ Blessington, Jacque; Steenberg, Judie; Schwartz, Karin R; Schürer, Ulrich; Smith, Brett; Richardson, Megan; Jaffar, Razak; Ford, Claire (2021). "Chapter 18 - Tree Kangaroo Populations in Managed Facilities". In Dabek, Lisa; Valentine, Peter; Blessington, Jacque; Schwartz, Karin R (eds.). Tree Kangaroos Science and Conservation A volume in Biodiversity of World: Conservation from Genes to Landscapes. Elsevier. pp. 249–269. ISBN   978-0-12-814675-0.
  24. ↑ "Adelaide Zoo transfer orphaned joey surrogate wallaby mother". ABC News. 30 June 2015.
  25. ↑ "Matschie's Tree Kangaroo Joey Is the Bronx Zoo's First Since 2008". newsroom.wcs.org. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
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