- Big-eared Hopping Mouse
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Big-eared Hopping Mouse Conservation status Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata Class: Mammalia Order: Rodentia Family: Muridae Subfamily: Murinae Genus: Notomys Species: N. macrotis Binomial name Notomys macrotis
Thomas, 1921The big-eared hopping mouse (Notomys macrotis) is an extinct species of mouse, which lived in the Moore River area of south-western Australia. The big-eared hopping mouse was a small, rat-sized animal resembling a tiny kangaroo. It moved by bounding upon its enlarged hind feet.
Hopping mice are vulnerable to agriculture and pastoralism, as well as introduced cats and foxes. The last record dates from 19 July 1843 and was collected by John Gilbert, who was employed by John Gould. The hopping mouse was probably the first Australian mammal to succumb to European settlers. It is known from two damaged specimens held in the Natural History Museum, London.
References
- ^ Morris, K. & Burbidge, A. (2008). Notomys macrotis. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 6 January 2009.
Categories:- IUCN Red List extinct species
- Murinae stubs
- Old World rats and mice
- Rodents of Australia
- Mammals of Western Australia
- Extinct mammals
- Extinct mammals of Australia
- Species made extinct by human activities
- Mammal extinctions since 1500
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