Myoictis wavicus, Tate, 1947

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 : 294

9.

Tate’s Three-striped Dasyure

Myoictis wavicus

French: Dasyure de Wau / German: Tate-Streifenbeutelmaus / Spanish: Dasiuro de tres rayas de Tate

Taxonomy. Myoictis wavicus Tate, 1947 ,

“ Wau, near Morobe, northeastern Papua , altitude 3800 feet,” New Guinea.

In 1947, G. H. H. Tate placed Myoictis as a genus within the Dasyurinae ; he recognized two species, M. melas , to which he referred thorbeckiana, bruijnii, senex, and biirgersi, and M. wallacu, to which he referred pilicauda. Within M. melas, Tate recognized two subspecies, M. m. melas and his newly described M. m. wavicus based on a specimen collected in 1932 by H. Stevens at Wau. In 2005, a comprehensive examination of museum material suggested that M. wavicus deserved full species status (rather than being a subspecies of M. melas ), M. melas proper encompassed a variety of forms from numerous localities across New Guinea, M. wallacii was a valid species, and a new species, M. leucura, warranted recognition. Genetic (mtDNA and nDNA) divergences supported the morphological study, finding M. wavicus to be deeply divergent from the three other species of Myoictis ( M. wallacii to congeners 5-7-11-2% at the mtDNA cytochrome-b gene). M. wallacii was genetically positioned with strong support as sister to M. leucura; 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. E New Guinea, known from less than ten specimens collected in the Wau area on the N side of the Central Range.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 16.5-17.5 cm (males) and 14-17 cm (females), tail length no specific data available; weight 110-134 g (males) and 61-83 g (females). There is sexual dimorphism for size. Tate’s Three-striped Dasyure differs from other species of Myoictis in having a shorthaired tail. Tail hairs are c¢.10 mm long at base of tail and only c.5 mm along greater part oftail length. Hairs are sparser on underside of tail, which tends to be rounded rather than flattened. General coat color of Tate’s Three-striped Dasyure is gray-brown, with paler hairs between black dorsal stripes; fur is duller (less reddish) than in all congeners. Posterior palatal foramina (holes in back of skull palate) are large, and third premolar teeth are single-rooted.

Habitat. Primary montane forest at elevations of 975-1810 m.

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

Breeding. Little is known about the breeding patterns of Tate’s Three-striped Dasyures. Three females and one male were captured near Wau, Papua New Guinea. In one year, eight copulations were attempted, but no females began pregnant. Individual females had 5-9 estrous periods, and at least one of the females was in estrus for ten months of the year. Females have four nipples in the pouch.

Activity patterns. There is no specific information available for this species, but similar to its congeners, Tate’s Three-striped Dasyure is thought to be primarily ground dwelling and diurnal.

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 Lust. It is unknown if Tate’s Three-striped Dasyure occurs in protected areas. Further information is required concerning its distribution, population status, and conservation threats. If Tate’s Three-striped Dasyureis truly restricted to Wau, it will likely qualify for a threatened category.

Bibliography. Flannery (1995a), Tate (1947), Westerman, Young, Donnellan et al. (2006), Westerman, Young & Krajewski (2007), Woolley (2003, 2005b, 2008f).

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. E New Guinea, known from less than ten specimens collected in the Wau area on the N side of the Central Range.