Myoictis melas (Muller, 1840)

Russell A. Mittermeier & Don E. Wilson, 2015, Dasyuridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 5 Monotremes and Marsupials, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 232-348 : 293

7.

Muller’s Three-striped Dasyure

Myoictis melas

French: Dasyure a trois raies / German: Millers Streifenbeutelmaus / Spanish: Dasiuro de tres rayas de Miller

Other common names: Three-striped Dasyure, Three-striped Marsupial Mouse

Taxonomy. Phascogale melas S. Muller, 1840 ,

“Nieuw-Guinea, in de triton’s baai (op 3° 39" Z. breedte),” Mt. Lamantsjieri , near Triton Bay, Lobo District, Fakfak Division, Prov. of Papua ( = Irian Jaya ), Indonesia.

This species was the first carnivorous marsupial collected from Papua New Guinea in 1828. S. Miller was among the Natural Science Commission for the Netherlands Indies who visited the southern coast of New Guinea. During the visit, a Papuan native gave the delegation a small marsupial; the natives revealed to the Europeans that it lived in the forest on the ground, foraged mainly at night, and was known to them as “Insinsie.” Miller in 1840 provided a brief, non-diagnostic description ofthis animal in a footnote to his report on the expedition. Several years elapsed before it was described again in greater detail. Nevertheless, taxonomic confusion followed in the next 100 years as a string of specimens, some named as new species, gradually were collected; some had three striking black stripes on their backs, and a few others were melanistic, like the original type for M. melas . In 1947, G. H. H. Tate placed a cohort of these species in synonymy under melas . In 2005, a comprehensive examination of museum material suggested that M. melas actually encompassed a variety of forms from numerous localities across New Guinea. Genetic (mtDNA and nDNA) divergences supported the morphological study, finding M. melas to be deeply divergent from the three other species of Myoictis ( M. melas to congeners 10-12% at the mtDNA cytochrome-b gene); however, there was notable variation within M. melas (up to 4:6%) from different geographical locales. M. melas was genetically positioned with strong support as sister to a clade containing the remaining three species of Myoictis : wallacu, leucura, and wavicus . Monotypic.

Distribution. New Guinea, known from scattered localities across the W & N parts of the island, also found on Waigeo, Salawati, Batanta, and Yapen Is.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 18:9-24 cm (males) and 17.2-21.5 cm (females), tail length no specific data available; weight 172-255 g (males). There is sexual dimorphism forsize. Muller’s Three-striped Dasyure has a well-haired, dorsally crested, tapering tail, which distinguishes it from congeners. Coat coloris variable; a small number of individuals are melanistic. Majority of individuals are brightly colored, with either whitish or reddish hairs between black dorsal stripes. Miiller’s Three-striped Dasyure has bright reddish patches on nape and behind ears. Posterior palatal foramina (back holes in palate of skull) are small, and third lower premolar tooth (P,) is absent.

Habitat. [.owland rainforest from near sea levelto elevations of c.1800 m. Miiller’s Threestriped Dasyure is widespread but generally uncommon. It may prefer disturbed habitats such as old gardens;it is known to visit villages and houses hunting murid rodents.

Food and Feeding. There is no information available for this species.

Breeding. Little is known about the reproductive biology of Miller’s Three-striped Dasyures. Females have six nipples in their pouches. The Australian Museum held a subadult male that was sharing a nest with its mother when it was captured in the Torricelli Mountains.

Activity patterns. There is no specific information available for this species, but like its congeners, Muller’s Three-striped Dasyures are thought to be primarily terrestrial and diurnal. On one occasion, it was photographed in late morning on the forest floor, after being attracted to a researcher imitating its call.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no information available for this species.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Muller’s Three-striped Dasyure has a wide distribution and is unlikely to be declining at the rate required to qualify for listing in a threatened category. Taxonomic work is needed to determine if Miiller’s Three-striped Dasyure includes more than a single species (or is otherwise deeply structured), because genetic work has found notable variation at several localities within its broad distribution. Miller’s Three-striped Dasyures occur in several protected areas, but more studies are needed to clarify its distribution and abundance. There are no known major threats to the Miiller’s Three-striped Dasyure, although domestic dogs and domestic and feral cats may prey on it.

Bibliography. Flannery (1995a), Leary, Seri, Wright, Hamilton, Helgen, Singadan, Menzies, Allison, James, Dickman, Lunde, Aplin, Flannery & Woolley (2008a), Miller (1840), Tate (1947), Westerman, Young, Donnellan et al. (2006), Westerman, Young & Krajewski (2007), Woolley (2005b).

Figures

On following pages: 29. Black-tailed Antechinus (Antechinus arktos); 30. Fawn Antechinus (Antechinus bellus); 31. Yellow-footed Antechinus (Antechinus flavipes), 32. Atherton Antechinus (Antechinus godmani); 33. Cinnamon Antechinus (Antechinus leo); 34. Swamp Antechinus (Antechinus minimus); 35. Buff-footed Antechinus (Antechinus mysticus); 36. Brown Antechinus (Antechinus stuartil); 37. Subtropical Antechinus (Antechinus subtropicus); 38. Dusky Antechinus (Antechinus swainsonii).

Distribution. New Guinea, known from scattered localities across the W & N parts of the island, also found on Waigeo, Salawati, Batanta, and Yapen Is.