Species Profile: Pygmy white-tailed rat

Hello again, welcome back to animals under threat. Today, we will be covering a rat species that is endemic to North Queensland and has become under the category of near threatened. Please welcome the Pygmy white-tailed rat (Uromys hadrourus).

The Pygmy white-tailed rat is a species of rat that belongs to the Muridae family and is less known than its sister species, the more common Giant white-tailed rat (Uromys caudimaculatus). Discovered at Thorntons Peak in 1973, little is known about this species apart from the brown colour fur back, white fur on its chest and hairless mosaic tail (Woinarski & Burbidge, 2016).

Picture by Mike Trennery.

As little is known about the preferred habitat of the Pygmy white-tailed rat, some scientists believe this species prefers rainforests with large ferns and vine trees (Moore, 2010). They are known to eat rainforest fruits and insects with their favourite insect been large beetles (Department of Environment and Science, 2017-2019).

Photo (right) by Mark Sanders and photo (left) by Nathan Litjens. 

The major threats to this species are deforestation and introduced predators and pests. Cane toads are a threat due to the Pygmy white-tailed rat competing for beetles and biting the toad causes the rat to become poisoned. Feral cats and dogs hunt Pygmy white-tailed rat for food and destroy possible nesting sites. Deforestation of needed plants that provide the food of the rat are been removed for urban and agriculture uses (wettropics, 1998).

Next time, we will be covering a species of giraffe that is under threat in Africa.

References

Moore, L.A. 2010, Niche differentiation, rarity, and commonness in the sympatric Australian white-tailed rats: Uromys caudimaculatus and Uromys hadrourus.

The State of Queensland (Department of Environment and Science) 2017–2019, https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/mount-lewis/culture.html retrieved on 29/05/19

https://www.wettropics.gov.au/rainforest_explorer/Resources/Documents/TropicalTopics/Rodents.pdf retrieved on 29/05/19 1998

Woinarski, J. & Burbidge, A.A. 2016. Uromys hadrourus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22802A22446971. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.20161.RLTS.T22802A22446971.en

Picture references

https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/mount-lewis/culture.html

google images

Species Profile: Ulysses butterfly

Hello again, welcome back to animals under threat. Today, we will be covering a butterfly that at risk of becoming endangered and is considered to be a popular tourist attraction. Say hello to the Ulysses butterfly (Papilio Ulysses).

The Ulysses butterfly belongs to the genus Papilo which is a part of the swallowtail butterfly family Papilionidae that has over 550 species. Male Ulysses butterflies are characterized by their brilliant blue coloured wings that have black edges. Female Ulysses butterflies do not have as much blue on their wings with the expectation of small blue crescents in the back (wettropics).

Female (left) and male (right) Ulysses butterfly by Thomas Neubauer.

Caterpillars of the Ulysses butterfly are green colour with a yellow collar and spots. Their favourite food comes from the pink Euodia (Melicope elleryana). This butterfly is native to Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. The bright blue colour of the butterfly is used to deter predators from eat them (australianbutterflies). One theory of the butterfly wings is that the black colour is used to absorb sunlight similar to a solar panel. Ulysses butterflies are attracted to any that has blue on it as they think it is a female butterfly (Vukusic et al, 2004).

This butterfly is under threat from deforestation as the pink Euodia they lay their eggs on is been cut down for timber. It is also at risk of collectors as many find this butterfly beautiful and want to add them to their collections (New and Sands, 2002).

Next time, we will be covering a rat species that is endemic to North Queensland.

References

https://australianbutterflies.com/the-ulysses-butterfly/

New, T.R. & Sands, D.P.A. 2002, "Conservation Concerns for Butterflies in Urban Areas of Australia", Journal of Insect Conservation, vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 207-215

https://www.wettropics.gov.au/beautiful-butterflies

Vukusic, P., Sambles, J.R. & Lawrence, C.R. 2004, "Structurally assisted blackness in butterfly scales", Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences, vol. 271, no. Suppl 4, pp. S237-S239.

picture references

https://en.butterflycorner.net/Papilio-ulysses-Mountain-Blue.schwalbenschwanz100.0.html

Species Profile: Temminck's Ground Pangolin

Hello again, welcome back to animals under threat. Today, we will be covering a mammal that is covered in scales and is a part of a group that is endangered. Please welcome, Temminck's Ground Pangolin (Smutsia temminckii) or Ground Pangolin for short.

A Pangolin is an anteater that is covered in scales and is found in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Eight species make up the genus Manis, order Pholidota. They are characterized by their large overlapping scales that comes in brown/olive or gold colour and large claws (Blashfield Black, 2014). The Ground Pangolin scales are made of keratin which is the same material in which human fingernails are made of.

Ground Pangolin by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters.

 

 

Ground Pangolins live in areas that are low lying savannah forest with moderate scrub. They can also be found in areas of grassland, rocky slopes and floodplains. Ground Pangolins are water independent, but will drink from any free-standing water source if it is available (Pietersen et al, IUCN, 2014). They are mostly nocturnal although some have been found during daylight hours and they feed on ant and termite species (Pietersen et al, 2014). When threatened, Pangolins curl into a tight ball with their scales pointing outwards, providing protection and causing injury to the predator. If they cannot curl into a ball quickly, Pangolins will stand up and use their claws or tail to attack threats (Wang et al, 2016).

Pangolin curl into a ball, scales and map by https://www.pangolinsg.org/pangolins/

 

Pangolins are under threat because of bush meat, traditional medicine, international trading and electric fences. They are hunting for their meat as they are considered to be a delicacy in some parts of the world while their scales are used for traditional medicine and clothing. Pangolins are also under threat from electric fences around farmlands as they would curl around the wire after the first shock and will be continually shocked until they die (Pietersen et al, 2014).

 

Next time, we will be covering a butterfly that has recently become endangered in Australia.

 

 

 

References

Blashfield Black, J. 2014, Pangolins.

 

Pietersen, D.W., McKechnie, A.E. & Jansen, R. 2014, "A Review of the Anthropogenic Threats Faced by Temminck's Ground Pangolin, Smutsia temminckii, in Southern Africa", South African Journal of Wildlife Research, vol. 44, no. 2, pp. 167-178.

 

Pietersen, D.W., McKechnie, A.E. & Jansen, R. 2014, "Home range, habitat selection and activity patterns of an arid-zone population of Temminck's ground pangolins, Smutsia temminckii", African Zoology, vol. 49, no. 2, pp. 265.

 

Pietersen, D., Waterman, C., Hywood, L., Rankin, P. & Soewu, D. 2014. Smutsia temminckii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2014: e.T12765A45222717.

 

Wang, B., Yang, W., Sherman, V.R. & Meyers, M.A. 2016, "Pangolin armor: Overlapping, structure, and mechanical properties of the keratinous scales", Acta Biomaterialia, vol. 41, pp. 60-74.

 

Picture references

https://www.pangolinsg.org/pangolins/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_pangolin

 

 



Species Profile: Red-bellied newt

Hello again, welcome back to animals under threat. Today, we will be covering a species of newt that spends most of its life on life. Say hello to the red-bellied newt (Taricha rivularis).

The Red-bellied newt is one of four highly poisonous newt species that belong to the Genus Taricha. Unlike the other three species of newt, the red-bellied newt is characterized by the lack of yellow in their eyes, red belly and grainy red/brown skin on top (Amphibian Specialist Group, 2014). This species of newt is native to the United States and is found in Southern Humboldt County, Sonoma County, Mendocino County and California (Reilly et al, 2014). Red-bellied newts have an amazing homing ability that allows them to find their way back to the same stream which they were currently living in (Kuchta and Tan, 2006).

Red-bellied newt by unknown

 

 

 

Like most newt species, the Red-bellied newt produces a neurotoxin tetrodotoxin to repel predators. The newt will lift its front limbs and stand on its lower limbs and tail to reveal its red abdomen while closing its eyes. This threating position works to scarce off most predators, but the Common Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis) has a high resistance to the toxin and continues to feed on red-bellied newts (Edmund et al, 2002). Newts also have the ability to regenerate body parts if they are damaged.

Common Gartersnake by Wilson and male newt by Zachary Lim.

 

 

Even though this species of newt lives on land, they require water to lay their eggs. The newt will migrate to find clear rivers/streams and transform into their aquatic phase and find females to mate with. Many eggs are placed under rocks/roots and hatch into baby larvae, although this depends on the temperature as some hatch faster in higher temperature. The larvae stage lasts around 4-6 months where they leave the stream and live in underground shelter until they reach breeding age 4-6 years (Packer, 1963).

 

Baby newt larvae by Gary Nafis and eggs by Jessica Miller.

 

The biggest threat to this species of newt is low genetic diversity and inbreeding. Most populations of this newt is spread out and has low genetic variation between them. They travel to new streams to breed, but there is little genetic exchange between the groups as females would most likely mate with males that can protect their streams (Kuchta and Tan, 2006).

 

Next time, we will be covering an unusual mammal that looks like a reptile and can curl into a ball for defense.

 

 

 

References

Edmund D. Brodie Jr, Ridenhour, B.J. & E. D. Brodie III 2002, "THE EVOLUTIONARY RESPONSE OF PREDATORS TO DANGEROUS PREY: HOTSPOTS AND COLDSPOTS IN THE GEOGRAPHIC MOSAIC OF COEVOLUTION BETWEEN GARTER SNAKES AND NEWTS", Evolution, vol. 56, no. 10, pp. 2067-2082.

 

Kuchta, S.R. & Tan, A. 2006, "Limited Genetic Variation Across the Range Of The Red-bellied Newt, Taricha Rivularis", Journal of Herpetology, vol. 40, no. 4, pp. 561-565.

 

IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group 2014. Taricha rivularis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2014: e.T59470A56239017.

 

Packer, W.C. 1963, "Observations on the Breeding Migration of Taricha rivularis", Copeia, vol. 1963, no. 2, pp. 378-382.

 

Reilly, S.B., Portik, D.M., Koo, M.S. & Wake, D.B. 2014, "Discovery of a New, Disjunct Population of a Narrowly Distributed Salamander (Taricha rivularis) in California Presents Conservation Challenges", Journal of Herpetology, vol. 48, no. 3, pp. 371-379.

 

Picture references

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_garter_snake

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-bellied_newt

http://www.californiaherps.com/salamanders/pages/t.rivularis.html

 

 

 

 

 

Species Profile: Anna's hummingbird

Hello again, welcome back to animals under threat. Today, we will be covering a bird that is named after Anne Debelle, Duchess of Rivoli. Please welcome, Anna's hummingbird (Calypte anna).

This hummingbird is one of two species of hummingbird that belongs to the genus Calypte, the other is the Costa's hummingbird (Calypte costae). Both species look similar to each, but male Anna’s hummingbird is characterized by their gorget (patch of coloured feathers on the throat) which is a crimson/magenta colour while Costa's hummingbird gorget is a purple colour (National Geographic, 2006). Females are less brightly coloured than the males, although both have bronze-green feathers on their back, pale grey chest/belly and green flanks (Giraldo et al, 2018). Their current geographic range includes Canada, Mexico and the United States and prefer tropical/subtropical forest for their habitat (BirdLife International, 2016).

Male (right) by Robert McMorran and female (female) by Matthew Field.

 

Unlike most species of hummingbirds that perform courtship dances to impress females, the male Anna’s hummingbird performs sings (Stiles, 1982) to impress the female that enters his territory. If she doesn’t leave, he will perform a display dives at high speed over the female making dive sounds (Clark and Feo, 2010). Below are two videos of Anna’s hummingbird, one is by Timothy Barksdale of birds feeding and perching on a feeder and the other is an Anna’s hummingbird perch and singing by Larry Arbanas.

 

 

The biggest threat to this species of hummingbird are diseases introduced to their environment. The most common disease that affect the Anna’s hummingbird is the avian pox virus. Avian pox virus is transferred by mosquitoes, contaminated surfaces and airborne particles. Birds affected with this virus gain wart like growths around areas free of feathers or can characterized as raised, yellow blemishes around the mouth, lungs, trachea and esophagus. This can lead to blindness, decreased egg production, poor growth, reduced male mating success and death (Godoy et al, 2014).

Next time, we will be covering a newt that spends most of its life on dry land.

 

 

References

BirdLife International 2016. Calypte anna. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22688199A93186783.

 

Clark, C.J. & Feo, T.J. 2010, "Why Do Calypte Hummingbirds "Sing" with Both Their Tail and Their Syrinx? An Apparent Example of Sexual Sensory Bias", American Naturalist, vol. 175, no. 1, pp. 27-37.

 

Giraldo, M., Parra, J. & Stavenga, D. 2018, "Iridescent colouration of male Anna's hummingbird (Calypte anna) caused by multilayered barbules", JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY A-NEUROETHOLOGY SENSORY NEURAL AND BEHAVIORAL PHYSIOLOGY, vol. 204, no. 12, pp. 965-975.

 

Godoy, L.A., Tell, L.A. & Ernest, H.B. 2014, "Hummingbird health: pathogens and disease conditions in the family Trochilidae", Journal of Ornithology, vol. 155, no. 1, pp. 1-12.

 

National Geographic book, Complete Birds of North America, 2006

 

Stiles, F.G. 1982, "Aggressive and Courtship Displays of the Male Anna's Hummingbird", The Condor, vol. 84, no. 2, pp. 208-225.

 

Picture and video references

https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/406481

https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/466291

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna%27s_hummingbird

 

 

Species Profile: Sarus Crane

Hello again, welcome back to animals under threat. Today, we will be covering an animal that is one of two species of crane that resides in Australia. Please welcome the Sarus Crane (Grus antigone).

As stated in the opening sentence, the Sarus crane is one of two species of crane found in Australia. They are characterized by their grey coloured body with black wing tips, red head, dull red legs and lack the dewlap/flap that the Brolga has. This species not only resides in Australia but also found in parts of Asia and the Indian subcontinent, living in large roost sites (Campbell & Woods, 2013).

Sarus crane flying by J.M. Garg and close up of head by unknown.

 

Sarus cranes prefer to live in mixture of partially flooded areas to live in as they feed on roots, tubers, invertebrates and amphibians. They also need dry land nesting as Sarus cranes make their nest out of reeds and grassed which is at least two meters in diameter and above the shallow water surrounding it (Birdlife international, 2016). The mating ritual of the Sarus crane involves dancing, bowing, circling movements and loud shrill cries. This species of crane is monogamous which means they mate for life and will grieve if their mate is killed, refusing to eat or care for itself (Hammer, 2009).

Displaying wings by J.M. Garg & family by Sumeet Moghe.

 

 

The Sarus crane is under threat by loss of habitat from degradation and human impact. These cranes relied on the wetlands for food and nesting materials are disappearing due to the need of agriculture and urban development. Adult cranes are at risk from hunters as they are hunted for meat, medical purposes and the prevention of crop damage. Young crane chicks are under threat from other predator such as dingos, crows, foxes and Brahminy kites (Gosai et al, 2016).

 

Next time, we will be covering a species of humming bird named after Anne Debelle, Duchess of Rivoli.

References

 

BirdLife International. 2016. Antigone antigone. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

2016: e.T22692064A93335364.

 

Campbell, I, & Woods, S 2013, Wildlife of Australia, Princeton University Press, Princeton. Available from: ProQuest Ebook Central. [7 May 2019].

 

Gosai, K.R., Shrestha, T.K., Shrestha, S.M., Hill, S.D., Gyawali, B., Gautam, D.N. & Aryal, A. 2016, "Population structure, behavior, and current threats to the sarus crane (Grus antigone antigone) in Nepal", Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 301-305.

 

HAMMER, N., Centrum för teologi och religionsvetenskap, Centre for Theology and Religious Studies, Lund University & Lunds universitet 1887;2009;, "Why Sārus Cranes epitomize Karuṇarasa in the Rāmāyaṇa", Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 187-211.

 

Picture references

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarus_crane

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Species Profile: Quokka

Hello again, welcome back to animals under threat. Today, we will be covering an animal that has been described as the “happiest animal in the world”. Say hello to the adorable Quokka (Setonix brachyurus).

The Quokka is a tiny marsupial that is the only member of the genus (Setonix) and was mistaking thought to be a rat by early Dutch explorers. They are mostly found in far Southwestern mainland Australia and on several islands off the Southwest coast, mainly on Rottnest island. Quokkas are characterized by their thick brown-grey fur, wide puffed-out cheeks, short pointed muzzle, rounded ears and short tail (Campbell & Woods, 2013).

Quokka (left) by Thomas Rutter and Quokka (right) by Sam West

 

Quokkas live in swamp areas that contain the tea-tree (Taxandria linearifolia) also nickname “swamp peppermint”. They also live in woodland areas that contain Eucalyptus marginate, Corymbia calophylla, E. diversicolor and E. jacksonii which the Quokka can climb and feed on (Burbidge & Woinarski, 2019). The shrub Guichenotia ledifolia is considered to be the Quokkas favourite plant to feed on and receive water from the food they eat (Hayward, 2005).

 



Taxandria linearifolia (right) by Kevin Thiele and Eucalyptus marginate (middle) & shrub Guichenotia ledifolia (left) by unknown.

 

Quokkas have little fear of humans and have been known to approach people camping, cafes, and other areas where humans eat. When Quokkas eat human food, they become very sick and dehydrated leading the Quokka to be at risk from predators and car accidents. Predation by Red foxes and feral cats on islands has led to a decline in the population and habitat degradation of the swamps by feral pigs has cause the food shortage (Burbidge & Woinarski, 2019).

 

Next time, we will be covering a species of crane that is believed to mate for life and preform courtship dances.

 

References

Burbidge, A.A. & Woinarski, J. 2019. Setonix brachyurus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T20165A21952167.

 

Campbell, I, & Woods, S 2013, Wildlife of Australia, Princeton University Press, Princeton. Available from: ProQuest Ebook Central. [3 May 2019]. 

 

Hayward, M.W. 2005, "Diet of the quokka ( Setonix brachyurus ) (Macropodidae : Marsupialia) in the northern jarrah forest of Western Australia", Wildlife Research, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 15-22.

 

Picture references

https://australianmuseum.net.au/learn/animals/mammals/quokka/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucalyptus_marginata

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxandria_linearifolia

https://www.natureaustralia.org.au/explore/australian-animals/meet-the-quokka/

 

 

 

 

 

Species Profile: Grey-headed flying fox

Hello again, welcome back to animals under threat. Today, we will be covering a mega bat species that is native to Australia. Say hello to the Grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus).

 This bat species belongs to the Genus Pteropus which includes some of the largest bat species found from all over the world. The Grey-headed flying fox is currently the largest known bat species in Australia with a large territory ranging from coastal eastern and south-eastern Australia, Brisbane and Victoria (Campbell and Woods, 2013).  The Grey headed flying fox bat is characterized by their grey coloured head with an orange collar circling the neck, body covered in grey/black fur and fur covering the legs which is a characteristic of bats belonging to the genus Pteropus (Jones, 2013).

 

Bats roosting in a tree picture by Justin Welbergen and bat eating nectar by Andrew Mercer.

 

 

Grey-headed flying fox bat feed on pollen, nectar and fruits around 50km from their roosting area. While feeding on the flowers/fruits, the bat will disperse pollen and seeds to other areas making the bat an important disperser of plants. Grey-headed flying fox bats do not use echolocation to find food instead they use their sense of smell and sight to locate food (Schmelitschek et al, 2009). Determining the age of wild bats is difficult due to their high flying lifestyle and most age records of this bat species are from ones raised in captivity (Divlian et al, 2006).

 

Male bats surround themselves with a harem of females and his children. Baby bats are born during the daylight and are curious about the world around them. The mother bats use their large wings to cover and hide the baby from other bats or animals. Baby bats hang on to their mother while she is flying to find food and will stay with their mother even when they are begun to fly themselves (Jones, 2013).

 

 

Baby bat with mother and mother flying with baby by Vivien Jones

This species of bat is under threat for urban development as forest that provide the food needed for the bats are been cut down for houses. Powerlines electrocute bats as they land on the lines in order to rest. Extreme heat has also affect this bat species causing them to die from lack of water and shade, although even in the shade bats have been found dead because of the heat. A rare occurrence of abandonment of baby bats by adults can lead them to be raised by rescuers (Jones, 2013).

 

Next time, we will be covering the only member of the genus Setonix, appears in a lot of selfies, and is sometimes known as the happiest animal.

 

 

 

References

Campbell, I, & Woods, S 2013, Wildlife of Australia, Princeton University Press, Princeton. Available from: ProQuest Ebook Central. [28 April 2019].

 

DIVLJAN, A., PARRY-JONES, K. & WARDLE, G.M. 2006, "Age Determination in the Grey-Headed Flying Fox", Journal of Wildlife Management, vol. 70, no. 2, pp. 607-611.

 

Jones, V 2013, Flying Foxes : Australian Night Foresters, Rosenberg Publishing, Dural, NSW. Available from: ProQuest Ebook Central. [30 April 2019].

 

Schmelitschek, E., French, K. & Parry-Jones, K. 2009, "Fruit availability and utilisation by grey-headed flying foxes (Pteropodidae: Pteropus poliocephalus) in a human-modified environment on the south coast of New South Wales, Australia", Wildlife Research, vol. 36, no. 7, pp. 592-600.

 

Picture references

http://sydneybats.org.au/flying-foxes/gray-headed-flying-fox/grey-headed-flying-fox-reproduction/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey-headed_flying_fox