Eastern Bettong

Taxobox
name = Eastern BettongMSW3 Groves|pages=57]
status = NT
status_system = iucn3.1
status_ref = IUCN2006|assessors=Australasian Marsupial & Monotreme Specialist Group|year=1996|id=2783|title=Bettongia gaimardi|downloaded=11 May 2006 ]


regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
infraclassis = Marsupialia
ordo = Diprotodontia
familia = Potoroidae
genus = "Bettongia"
species = "B. gaimardi"
binomial = "Bettongia gaimardi"
binomial_authority = (Desmarest, 1822)

The Eastern Bettong ("Bettongia gaimardi"), also known as the Southern Bettong and Tasmanian Bettong, is a bettong whose natural range includes south-eastern Australia and the eastern part of Tasmania.Rose, R. (1997). " [http://www.epress.com/w3jbio/vol2/rose/rose.htm Metabolic rate and thermal conductance in a mycophagous marsupial, Bettongia gaimardi] ". The World Wide Web Journal of Biology 2: 2-7.] Following the introduction of the Red Fox, it became extinct on mainland Australia around 1890.

Diet and Behaviour

The Eastern Bettong is a nocturnal animal. During the day it sleeps in a nest it constructs out of grasses and leaves. A major component of its diet is underground fungi related to truffles, but it is also happy to dig up roots and tubers as well. Insects and grubs are also eaten when encountered. It is unique in that it will travel up to 1.5km from its nest to a feeding area, which is a considerable distance for a creature that rarely exceeds 2kg in mass.Department of Primary Industries and Water (August 2006). " [http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/BHAN-537V4U?open] The Tasmanian Bettong] ". Department of Primary Industries and Water.]

This bettong's habitat is open woodlands at altitudes between sea-level and 1000 m. (The highest point on Tasmania is at 1617 m.) The bettong usually nests in dry open eucalypt forests and grassy woodlands, sleeping during the day in a domed, grass nest that is well camouflaged and built by collecting nesting material bundled and transported it in its curved prehensile tailDepartment of Primary Industries and Water (August 2006). " [http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/BHAN-537V4U?open] The Tasmanian Bettong] ". Department of Primary Industries and Water.] .

Like other bettongs, the Eastern Bettong is a "continuous breeder" with a gestation period of only three weeks they produce young all year.University of Tasmania, School of Zoology. " [http://www.zoo.utas.edu.au/tfprofiles/tasanimals/bettong2.htm] Profile of Tasmanian Bettong] ". University of Tasmania.] .

Threats

While the mainland population became extinct in the final years of the 19th century, the Tasmanian population has been regarded as secure. One concern is that most of the bettongs are found on private land, with only two groups found within reserves. The deliberate (but illegal) introduction of Red Foxes to Tasmania in 2004 is a major threat to this population. If foxes become common in Tasmania, it is likely the Tasmanian bettongs will face a fate similar to that of the mainland population.

References