Eastern Long-beaked Echidna

Taxobox
name = Eastern Long-beaked EchidnaMSW3 Groves|pages=1]
status = CR
status_system = iucn3.1
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Monotremata
familia = Tachyglossidae
genus = "Zaglossus"
species = "Z. bartoni"
binomial = "Zaglossus bartoni"
binomial_authority = (Thomas, 1907)

The Eastern Long-beaked Echidna ("Zaglossus bartoni"), also known as Barton's Long-beaked Echidna, is one of three species from the genus "Zaglossus" to occur in New Guinea. It is found mainly in Papua New Guinea at elevations between 2000 and 3000 meters.

It can be distinguished from other members of the genus by the number of claws on the fore and hind feet, it has five claws on its fore feet and four on its hind feet. Weight varies between 5-10 kg (11-22 lb); its body length ranges from 60–100 cm (23.5-39 in), and has no tail. It has dense black fur. The species is the largest monotreme and is slow moving. It rolls into a spiny ball for defense.

There are four recognised subspecies:
*"Z. bartoni bartoni"
*"Z. bartoni clunius"
*"Z. bartoni smeenki"
*"Z. bartoni diamondi"The population of each subspecies is geographically isolated and they can be distinguished primarily by differences in body size.

References

*Flannery, T.F. and Groves, C.P. 1998 A revision of the genus "Zaglossus" (Monotremata, Tachyglossidae), with description of new species and subspecies. "Mammalia", 62(3): 367-396