366.

Carpentarian Rock Rat

Zyzomys palatalis

French: Zyzomys de Wollogorang / German: Carpentaria-Dickschwanzratte / Spanish: Rata de roca de Carpentaria

Taxonomy. Zyzomys palatalis Kitchener, 1989,

“Northern Territory, Echo Gorge, Wollogorang Station, 17°12’S, 137°41’E; altitude 180 m,” Australia . This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Restricted to a single pastoral property (Wollogorang Station) in the Northern Territory, Australia.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 90-150 mm, tail 100-152 mm, ear 17-20 mm, hindfoot 26-30 mm; weight 65-160 g. The Carpentarian Rock Rat is a thickset rat. It has large prominent eyes, long vibrissae, and a tail that is often markedly thickened (with stored fat) at base, lightly furred, and with longer hairs around tail tip. Part or all ofthe tail is often missing (presumably shed as a response to attempted predation). Body fur is gray brown above, and pale on belly.

Habitat. Occurs only in rugged rocky gorges and escarpments. It is associated mostly with small patches ofmonsoon rainforest in gorges, but occurs also in nearby eucalypt woodlands.

Food and Feeding. Diet comprises mostly fruits and seeds, with much of the fruit from rainforest tree species.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. The Carpentarian Rock Ratis terrestrial and nocturnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Carpentarian Rock Rats are presumed to be sedentary. Home ranges are c.1 ha, with substantial overlap among individuals. Individuals make infrequent forays from their core range inside gorge systems to surrounding habitat on plateau edges.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Critically Endangered on The IUCN Red Lust, this based on its very small range, few locations, and ongoing decline. Also listed as endangered under Australian legislation. The Carpentarian Rock Rat’s population size is thought to be fewer than 2000 mature individuals, and declining, possibly owing to

habitat degradation caused by frequent and extensive fires. Its area of occupancy is estimated to be c.10 km? and its extent of occurrence ¢.4000 km?. Enhanced fire management may be required in order to maintain current populations.

Bibliography. Begg (1981), Brook et al. (2002), Churchill (1996), Cole & Woinarski (2002), Puckey et al. (2004), Trainor et al. (2000), Van Dyck & Strahan (2008), Watts & Aslin (1981), Woinarski, Burbidge & Harrison (2014), Woinarski, Pavey et al. (2007).