Dorcopsis muelleri (Schlegel, 1866)

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 : 694

5.

Brown Forest Wallaby

Dorcopsis muelleri

French: Wallaby de Miller / German: Braunes Buschkanguru / Spanish: Ualabi de bosque pardo

Other common names: Brown Dorcopsis, Western Forest Wallaby

Taxonomy. Macropus muelleri Schlegel, 1866 ,

Lobo Bay , Manokwari Division, Vogelkop Peninsula , West Papua, Indonesia.

Formerly considered a junior synonym of “D. veterum,” but latter (originally Kangurus veterum) is now regarded as a nomen dubium. D. mueller: is morphologically variable across its distributional range, and additional sampling, as well as morphological and genetic studies,is required in order to clarify its taxonomy. Four subspecies currently recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

D.m.mueller:Schlegel,1866—lowlandsofBird’sHead(=Vogelkop)Peninsula,NWNewGuinea.

D. m. lorentzii Jentink, 1908 — lowlands of SW New Guinea.

D.m.mysoliaeThomas,1913—MisoolI,inWestPapuanIs.

D. m. yapeni Groves & Flannery, 1989 — Yapen I, in Cenderawasih (= Geelvink) Bay, NW New Guinea.

Population on Salawati I, West Papuan Is, may represent an additional subspecies.

Descriptive notes. Head-body70.8-77 cm (males) and 54-65 cm (females), tail 41.7-53.5 cm (males) and 32—46-5 cm (females); weight 5.6-8 kg (females). Brown dorsally, changing abruptly to pale ventrally. Limbs thinly furred and paler than body. Tail well furred with short naked tip, often pale. D. m. muelleri is reddish-brown dorsally (base of hairs slightly paler) with cream ventral coloration extending up past the flanks. One or two scapular hair-whorls present. D. m. lorenzii is fawn to chocolate brown dorsally with unicolored hairs. The ventral coloration is pale gray to cream and extends up onto flanks. Limbs are less contrasted with body. One or occasionally two poorly developed scapular hair-whorls are present. D. m. mysoliae is smaller than mainland subspecies and dull brown dorsally (base of hairs pale gray), gray to white ventrally. Limbs contrast strongly with body. Conspicuous transverse parting of dorsal fur between axilla and scapular area in most individuals. D. m. yapeni is similar to mysoliae but more brown, with hair bases white. Transverse parting of dorsal fur does not reach shoulders. Tail, hindfoot, and ears relatively shorter.

Habitat. [Lowland rainforest and riverine forest. May also utilize disturbed forest and adjacent more open areas.

Food and Feeding. There is no specific information available for this species, but likely a generalist browser. Reported to eat leaves of forest trees.

Breeding. Breeding may be continuous. Females produce a single young which remains in pouch for approximately six months. Young permanently vacate pouch up to four weeks later, although they may continue to suckle for several more months.

Activity patterns. Poorly known. Nocturnal or crepuscular.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Poorly known. Appears to move along established pathways through dense vegetation.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Brown Forest Wallaby does not face any major threats. It is being adversely impacted by habitat loss (clearing for agriculture and logging), as well as by subsistence hunting in some areas, but remains widespread and common in many parts of its range. This species appears to have been introduced to the islands of Halmahera and Gebe, North Moluccas, in prehistory, although these populations subsequently died out ¢.2000 years ago. Small numbers are held in zoos in Europe, Asia, and North America. Additional research on taxonomy, distribution, abundance, general ecology, and impact of potential threats is required.

Bibliography. Fatem & Sykora (2012), Flannery (1995a, 1995b), Flannery, Bellwood, White, Ennis et al. (1998), Flannery, Bellwood, White, Moore et al. (1995), Groves & Flannery (1989), Groves (2005b), Hume (1999a), Leary, Singadan, Menzies, Helgen, Allison et al. (2008a), Menzies (1991).

Figures

On following pages: 4. Grey Forest Wallaby (Dorcopsis luctuosa); 5. Brown Forest Wallaby (Dorcopsis muelleri); 6. Macleay’s Forest Wallaby (Dorcopsulus macleayi); 7. Small Forest Wallaby (Dorcopsulus vanheurni); 8. Bridled Nail-tailed Wallaby (Onychogalea fraenata); 9. Northern Nail-tailed Wallaby (Onychogalea unguifera).

Subspecies and Distribution. D.m.mueller:Schlegel,1866—lowlandsofBird’sHead(=Vogelkop)Peninsula,NWNewGuinea. D. m. lorentzii Jentink, 1908 — lowlands of SW New Guinea. D.m.mysoliaeThomas,1913—MisoolI,inWestPapuanIs. D. m. yapeni Groves & Flannery, 1989 — Yapen I, in Cenderawasih (= Geelvink) Bay, NW New Guinea. Population on Salawati I, West Papuan Is, may represent an additional subspecies.