Myoictis leucura, Woolley, 2005, Woolley, 2005

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 : 292-293

6.

Woolley’s Three-striped Dasyure

Myouctis leucura

French: Dasyure a queue blanche / German: Streifenbeutelmarder / Spanish: Dasiuro de tres rayas de Woolley

Taxonomy. Myoictis leucura Woolley, 2005 ,

“Agofia, Mt Sisa (Haliago), Papua New Guinea, 06° 17’ S 142° 45’ E, 650 m. ”

Since first collection, the genus Myoictis has undergone numerous taxonomic revisions for several reasons: the revisionary nature of taxonomic science, difficulty in obtaining a good range of specimens from Papua New Guinea, and broad variation in form and body plan within the group (and more broadly within the carnivorous marsupials of New Guinea). Today, four species of Myoictis are recognized, based on combined evidence from morphology and genetics. A comprehensive examination of museum material was only made in 2005, and four species were identified, based primarily on external appearance (tail and pelage), with auxiliary differences noted in the skull and dentition. In that revision, two species, M. melas and M. wallacii , already existed, based on earlier appraisals; one subspecies, M. melas wavicus , was raised to full species (now M. wavicus ), and a new species, M. leucura, was designated. Later, genetic phylogenies were constructed that indicated the most closely related genera to Myoictis are Dasycercus , Parantechinus , Dasykaluta , and Dasyuroides . Within Myoictis , the four morphological species were corroborated in each case by clear genetic (mtDNA and nDNA) divergences (M. leucura to congeners 5-7-11-7% at the mtDNA cytochrome-b gene). M. leucura was positioned with strong support as genetic sister to M. wavicus ; it is notable that females of both these species have four nipples in the pouch, whereas M. melas and M. wallacii have six. Monotypic.

Distribution. New Guinea, known only from a small number of specimens collected between 1984 and 1985 in the S side of the Central Range, from Mt Bosavi and Mt Sisa in the W and Mt Victoria and Vanapa River in the E.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 20-23 cm (males) and 19.2-19.7 cm (females), tail length no specific data available; weight 200-230 g (males) and 200 g (females). There is sexual dimorphism for size. The Woolley’s Three-striped Dasyure has whitish hairs on its tail tip, which distinguishes it from all congeners. Tail is longhaired above and on sides; hairs (10-15 mm long at bases) gradually decrease in length toward tail tip. Underside of tail is flattish and only sparsely covered with shorter hairs. Based on eleven specimens with complete tail tips, the white-haired portion oftail varies greatly in length, 9-65 mm (5-39% of the totaltail length). Three black dorsolateral stripes are highly distinctive, extending from behind ears to rump. Middle stripe extends forward onto head. General fur color is a dark reddish-brown above, with brighter reddish hairs between stripes; underbody is paler; and no red patches occur behind ears. Woolley’s Three-striped Dasyure is larger than Tate’s Three-striped Dasyure (M. wauvicus) but similar to Wallace’s Three-striped Dasyure ( M. wallacii ) in overall size and Muller’s Three-striped Dasyure in body mass, foot length, head-body length, skull length, and length of the lower molar tooth row. Woolley’s Three-striped Dasyure can be distinguished from Muiiller’s Three-striped Dasyure by larger size of posterior palatal foramina (rear holes in skull palate) and presence of a third lower premolar tooth. Woolley’s Three-striped Dasyure can be distinguished from Wallace’s Threestriped Dasyure and Miiller’s Three-striped Dasyure by upper premolar tooth row gradient and from Wallace’s Three-striped Dasyure in having a single-rooted, rather than double-rooted, third lower premolar tooth.

Habitat. Primary lowland and montane forest.

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

Breeding. There is no specific information for this species, but female Woolley’s Three-striped Dasyures apparently have four nipples in their pouches (based on one museum specimen and two field captures).

Activity patterns. There is no specific information available for this species, but like its congeners, Woolley’s Three-striped Dasyure is thought to be primarily ground dwelling and diurnal. It has been observed active during daylight hours.

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

Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List. Woolley’s Three-striped Dasyure was described in 2005, and there are uncertainties concerning its distribution, population status, and possible threats. It is known to occur in Mount Bosavi and Mount Victoria protected areas. Field studies are needed to confirm whether or not Woolley’s Three-striped Dasyure is found in the large gap (500 km or more) between known collection localities. The degree of genetic and morphological divergence among known populations also needs to be assessed.

Bibliography. Westerman, Young, Donnellan et al. (2006), Westerman, Young & Krajewski (2007), Woolley (2005b, 2008e).

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 only from a small number of specimens collected between 1984 and 1985 in the S side of the Central Range, from Mt Bosavi and Mt Sisa in the W and Mt Victoria and Vanapa River in the E.