Carpentarian Rock Rat

Taxobox
name = Carpentarian Rock Rat
status = CR | status_system = IUCN2.3
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Rodentia
familia = Muridae
genus = "Zyzomys"
species = "Z. palatalis"
binomial = "Zyzomys palatilis"
binomial_authority = Kitchener, 1989
synonyms = The Carpentarian Rock Rat ("Zyzomys palatalis") is a species of rodent in the Muridae family.It is found only in Australia.

Description

The Carpentarian Rock Rat is a small and compact conilurine rodent. Its fur is grey-brown above and pale below. The tail is used to store fat at its base, making it carrot-shaped; the skin of the tail is fragile and easily damaged by handling. The average weight of individuals is about 120 g.

Distribution and habitat

It has a very limited range, being currently known from only five localities within the Wollogorang pastoral lease of the Northern Territory, close to the border with Queensland, near the Gulf of Carpentaria. Crucial habitat characteristics are rugged sandstone gorges with a cover of dry monsoon vine-thicket or tropical woodland, and with access to permanent water.

Conservation

The estimated size of the wild population of this species is less than 2000. The main threat is from hot, late dry-season, fires. It is classified as being Critically Endangered. It is subject to conservation management, including a captive breeding program at the Territory Wildlife Park. [ [http://www.territorywildlifepark.com.au/pdf/CarpentarianRockrat.pdf] PDF downloaded 19 November 2007]

References

* Baillie, J. 1996. [http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/23327/all Zyzomys palatilis] . [http://www.iucnredlist.org 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. ] Downloaded on 20 July 2007.
* Musser, G. G. and M. D. Carleton. 2005. Superfamily Muroidea. Pp. 894-1531 "in" Mammal Species of the World a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder eds. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.