Cinnamon Antechinus
Encyclopedia
The Cinnamon Antechinus (Antechinus leo), also known as the Iron Ranges Antechinus and the Cape York Antechinus, is a species of small carnivorous marsupial
of the family Dasyuridae
. It is the only mammal endemic to Cape York Peninsula
, being confined to semi-deciduous forest around the McIlraith and Iron Ranges. Along with the Atherton Antechinus
(Antechinus godmani), it is the rarest in its genus.
(A. flavipes rubeculus) and the Atherton Antechinus
(A. godmani). A member of the dasyurid family, the species name of the Cinnamon Antechinus, leo, refers to the lion
-like cinnamon colour of its fur.
es, and is more rufous than its relatives. It is nocturnal and arboreal, and feeds on various invertebrates. Like all antechinuses, the males die following the breeding season.
The Cinnamon Antechinus, as its name implies, has mostly cinnamon-coloured fur, although it does have a darker mid-head stripe. Its mating season is in September.
, where it inhabits semi-deciduous rainforest. Despite being locally common, it was once classed as near threatened
by the IUCN due to the limits of its distribution.
Marsupial
Marsupials are an infraclass of mammals, characterized by giving birth to relatively undeveloped young. Close to 70% of the 334 extant species occur in Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands, with the remaining 100 found in the Americas, primarily in South America, but with thirteen in Central...
of the family Dasyuridae
Dasyuridae
Dasyuridae is a family of marsupials native to Australia and New Guinea, including 61 species divided into 15 genera. Many are small and mouse-like, giving them the misnomer marsupial mice, but the group also includes the cat-sized quolls, as well as the Tasmanian Devil...
. It is the only mammal endemic to Cape York Peninsula
Cape York Peninsula
Cape York Peninsula is a large remote peninsula located in Far North Queensland at the tip of the state of Queensland, Australia, the largest unspoilt wilderness in northern Australia and one of the last remaining wilderness areas on Earth...
, being confined to semi-deciduous forest around the McIlraith and Iron Ranges. Along with the Atherton Antechinus
Atherton Antechinus
The Atherton Antechinus , also known as Godman's Antechinus, is a species of small carnivorous marsupial native to Australia. It is one of the rarest members of its genus, and differs from other antechinuses in its more rufous body colour and small eyes.-Taxonomy:The Atherton Antechinus was first...
(Antechinus godmani), it is the rarest in its genus.
Taxonomy
The Cinnamon Antechinus was not scientifically described until 1980. It had previously been confused with both the Yellow-footed AntechinusYellow-footed Antechinus
thumb|250pxThe Yellow-footed Antechinus , also known as the Mardo, is a shrew-like marsupial found in Australia. One notable feature of the species is its sexual behavior...
(A. flavipes rubeculus) and the Atherton Antechinus
Atherton Antechinus
The Atherton Antechinus , also known as Godman's Antechinus, is a species of small carnivorous marsupial native to Australia. It is one of the rarest members of its genus, and differs from other antechinuses in its more rufous body colour and small eyes.-Taxonomy:The Atherton Antechinus was first...
(A. godmani). A member of the dasyurid family, the species name of the Cinnamon Antechinus, leo, refers to the lion
Lion
The lion is one of the four big cats in the genus Panthera, and a member of the family Felidae. With some males exceeding 250 kg in weight, it is the second-largest living cat after the tiger...
-like cinnamon colour of its fur.
Description
The Cinnamon Antechinus is one of the largest of the antechinusAntechinus
Antechinus is a genus of dasyurid marsupial that is indigenous to Australia and New Guinea. The majority of Antechinus species occur in Australia and only two species have been described in New Guinea...
es, and is more rufous than its relatives. It is nocturnal and arboreal, and feeds on various invertebrates. Like all antechinuses, the males die following the breeding season.
The Cinnamon Antechinus, as its name implies, has mostly cinnamon-coloured fur, although it does have a darker mid-head stripe. Its mating season is in September.
Distribution and habitat
The Cinnamon Antechinus has a very restricted range, being completely confined to a small area on Cape York PeninsulaCape York Peninsula
Cape York Peninsula is a large remote peninsula located in Far North Queensland at the tip of the state of Queensland, Australia, the largest unspoilt wilderness in northern Australia and one of the last remaining wilderness areas on Earth...
, where it inhabits semi-deciduous rainforest. Despite being locally common, it was once classed as near threatened
Near Threatened
Near Threatened is a conservation status assigned to species or lower taxa that may be considered threatened with extinction in the near future, although it does not currently qualify for the threatened status...
by the IUCN due to the limits of its distribution.