Petrogale godmani, Thomas, 1923

Russell A. Mittermeier & Don E. Wilson, 2015, Macropodidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 5 Monotremes and Marsupials, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 630-735 : 718

41.

Godman’s Rock Wallaby

Petrogale godmani

French: Wallaby de Godman / German: Godman-Felskdanguru / Spanish: Ualabi rupestre de Godman

Other common names: Godman's Rock-wallaby

Taxonomy. Petrogale godmani Thomas, 1923 ,

“ Black Mountain , 16 miles S.W. of Cooktown,” north-eastern Queensland, Australia.

A member of the lateralis / penicillata group of species (which includes also P. rothschildv, P. lateralis , P. purpureicollis , P. penicillata , P. herberti , P inornata , P assimilis , P. sharmani , P. mareeba , P. coenensis ). Formerly regarded as a subspecies of P. penicillata and earlier of P. inornata , but reinstated as a full species in 1982. Cape York population was previously placed within P. godmani , but in 1992 was described as a separate, species (FP. coenensis ). Hybridizes with P. mareeba . Monotypic.

Distribution. NE Queensland from Mitchell River and near Mt Carbine (where it forms a hybrid zone with the Mareeba Rock Wallaby, P. mareeba ) W to “Pinnacles” and N to Bathurst Head; W and N limits uncertain.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 49.2-57 cm (males) and 41-52.8 cm (females), tail 49-64 cm (males) and 46.5-54 cm (females); weight 4.1-5.9 kg (males) and 3.2-5 kg (females). Coloration varies with rock substrate. Gray-brown dorsally, but can be almost black, paler ventrally; arms, legs, and base oftail also pale. Limbs and face sometimes cinnamon. Pale cheek stripe, slight dark axillary patch, and indistinct dark dorsal head stripe occasionally present. Paws and feet darker than limbs. Tail has slight brush, with distal third to half frequently dirty white. Moults in autumn to predominantly gray on back and flanks, then progressively browner through year. Diploid chromosome numberis 20.

Habitat. Rocky outcrops, boulder piles, rocky slopes and gullies, cliffs, and gorges within open grassy woodland.

Food and Feeding. There is no specific information available for this species, but likely to be similar to the Allied Rock Wallaby (P. assimalis).

Breeding. Poorly known. Females produce a single young and appear to breed continuously.

Activity patterns. Nocturnal in summer, crepuscular or partially diurnal in other months. Shelters during day among rocks or within boulder piles. Move off the rocks in late afternoon or early evening to feed in surrounding woodland. In cooler months may sit on rocks to bask in the sun, especially in late afternoon or early morning.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Poorly known. Likely to be similar to the Allied Rock Wallaby. Forages mostly solitarily or in pairs.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Godman’s Rock Wallabyis relatively common at most sites throughoutits range, but some populations have fluctuated in numbers in recent decades. Although no major threats to this species are apparent, it is potentially threatened by habitat degradation as a consequence of introduced herbivores and altered fire regimes. Predation by domestic/ feral cats may also be a potential threat. Additional research into its general ecology and the impact of potential threats is required.

Bibliography. Eldridge (1997), Eldridge & Close (1992, 1997 2008b), Sharman et al. (1989), Winter, Burnett & Martin (2008f), Woinarski et al. (2014a0).

Figures

34. Purple-necked Rock Wallaby (Petrogale purpureicollis), 35. Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby (Petrogale penicillata)

Distribution. NE Queensland from Mitchell River and near Mt Carbine (where it forms a hybrid zone with the Mareeba Rock Wallaby, P. mareeba ) W to “Pinnacles” and N to Bathurst Head; W and N limits uncertain.