Woolley's False Antechinus

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image_caption =
status = LC
status_system = iucn3.1
status_ref = IUCN2006 | assessors = Australasian Marsupial & Monotreme Specialist Group | year = 1996 | title = Pseudantechinus woolleyae | id = 40539 | downloaded = 2006-12-09]
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
infraclassis = Marsupialia
ordo = Dasyuromorphia
familia = Dasyuridae
genus = "Pseudantechinus"
species = "P. woolleyae"
binomial = "Pseudantechinus woolleyae"
binomial_authority = Kitchener & Caputi, 1988

Woolley's False Antechinus ("Pseudantechinus woolleyae"), also known as Woolley's Pseudantechinus, is a species of small carnivorous marsupial belonging to the family Dasyuridae. It is found in the Australian state of Western Australia, primarily in the Pilbara, Ashburton and Murchison regions.cite book | last = Menkhorst | first = Peter | year = 2001 | title = A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia | publisher = Oxford University Press | pages = 60]

Taxonomy

Woolley's False Antechinus was, like most false antechinuses, long believed to be a form of the Fat-tailed False Antechinus, which it closely resembles. It was not given full species status until 1988. The common and species names honour Dr Patricia Woolley, an Australian expert on dasyurid marsupials like this species.

Description

Woolley's False Antechinus is the largest false antechinus and its behaviour is little known. It has a breeding life of two or more years, unlike many of its relatives which live for a very short time. Births occur in September-October and the young are sexually mature at 10 months.

Woolley's False Antechinus is coloured rich brown above and buff below. It has a flattened tail and chestnut patches behind its ears.Citation|last=Woolley|first=P.A.|contribution=Woolley's False Antechinus|title=The Mammals of Australia|year=1995|publisher=Reed Books|pages=80-81|editor-first=Ronald|editor-last=Strahan]

Habitat

Woolley's False Antechinus inhabits rocky hillsides, usually vegetated with acacia scrub or spinifex grass. It is found in the western area of Western Australia.

References