Subtropical Antechinus
Encyclopedia
The Subtropical Antechinus (Antechinus subtropicus) is a species of small carnivorous marsupial
of the family Dasyuridae
. It was previously thought to be conspecific with the Brown Antechinus
(Antechinus stuartii).
The Subtropical Antechinus is found south from Gympie
in Queensland
, Australia
, to the far northeast of New South Wales
, where it is essentially restricted to sub-tropical vine forest below 1000 m elevation. It is difficult to distinguish it from its close relatives, but its significant features include a long and narrow muzzle and a generally mid-brown colour. It is the largest of the Brown Antechinus
complex. It mainly eats insects and after mating all of the males die of stress-related diseases, like many other species in this family.
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 was previously thought to be conspecific with the Brown Antechinus
Brown Antechinus
The Brown Antechinus , also known as Stuart's Antechinus and Macleay's Marsupial Mouse, is a species of small carnivorous marsupial of the family Dasyuridae.-Taxonomy:...
(Antechinus stuartii).
The Subtropical Antechinus is found south from Gympie
Gympie
Gympie may refer to:* Gympie, a city in Queensland, Australia** Gympie Airport** Electoral district of Gympie** Gympie Region, its local government authority* Gympie Gympie , a stinging plant...
in Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, to the far northeast of New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, where it is essentially restricted to sub-tropical vine forest below 1000 m elevation. It is difficult to distinguish it from its close relatives, but its significant features include a long and narrow muzzle and a generally mid-brown colour. It is the largest of the Brown Antechinus
Brown Antechinus
The Brown Antechinus , also known as Stuart's Antechinus and Macleay's Marsupial Mouse, is a species of small carnivorous marsupial of the family Dasyuridae.-Taxonomy:...
complex. It mainly eats insects and after mating all of the males die of stress-related diseases, like many other species in this family.