- Spectacled Hare-wallaby
Taxobox
name = Spectacled Hare-wallabyMSW3 Groves|pages=63]
fossil_range = Recent [http://paleodb.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?action=checkTaxonInfo&taxon_no=40152&is_real_user=1 The Paleobiology Database ] ]
status = LC
status_system = iucn3.1
status_ref = IUCN2006|assessors=Australasian Marsupial & Monotreme Specialist Group|year=1996|id=11161|title=Lagorchestes conspicillatus|downloaded=2006-12-28 ]
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis =Mammal ia
infraclassis =Marsupialia
ordo =Diprotodontia
familia =Macropodidae
genus = "Lagorchestes "
species = "L. conspicillatus"
binomial = "Lagorchestes conspicillatus"
binomial_authority = Gould, 1842The Spectacled Hare-wallaby ("Lagorchestes conspicillatus") is a species of
macropod found inAustralia . It is the only hare-wallaby not to belong to thethreatened orextinct categories, but it is nevertheless classified asnear threatened .The Spectacled Hare-wallaby is found across northern Australia in tropical
tussock orspinifex habitats. It can be found fromQueensland toWestern Australia . It is a solitary, nocturnal herbivore, and is considerably larger than its relatives. It is coloured grey-brown with golden tips and an orange circle around its eye, from which it gets its name.cite book|last=Menkhorst|first=Peter|year=2001|title=A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia|publisher=Oxford University Press|pages=108] It builds its nests among the tough vegetation. When disturbed it hops off in a zigzag manner. The young are produced singly at any time of the year and become sexually mature at about a year old. [cite book | author = Whitfield, Philip | title = The Simon & Schuster Encyclopedia of Animals | location = New York | publisher = Marshall Editions Development Limited | year = 1998 | pages = pg 28]Threat and status
The subspecies "L. conspicillatus conspicillatus" is restricted to
Barrow Island, Western Australia , but was once found throughout theMontebello Islands . Predation by introduced species and development on the island have led to a vulnerable status. "L. conspicillatus leichardti", the mainland subspecies, does not have a threatened status. However, concern exists regarding the disappearance from arid parts of its far northern range. Reintroduction to former habitats has been proposed, following the relatedWestern Shield projects. [cite book | last = Burbidge | first = Andrew A | title = Threatened animals of Western Australia | year = 2004 | publisher = Department of Conservation and Land Management | isbn = 0 7307 5549 5 | pages = 64 |chapter = 4. Mammals | quote = Vulnerable. 'Montebello Renewal', a "Western Shield" project, is eradicating feral cats and rats ...]Fossil record
A Spectacled Hare-wallaby fossil was discovered in Queensland dating up to 11,000 years ago from the early
Holocene .References
External links
* [http://www.nt.gov.au/nreta/wildlife/threatened/pdf/spectacled_hare_wallaby_nt.pdf "Lagorchestes conspicillatus leichhardi" (mainland subspecies, includes photo)]
* [http://www.amonline.net.au/mammals/rare/spectacled_wallaby.htm Spectacled Hare-wallaby at Australian Museum]
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