Neophascogale loventzii (Jentink, 1911)

Russell A. Mittermeier & Don E. Wilson, 2015, Dasyuridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 5 Monotremes and Marsupials, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 232-348 : 298

16.

Speckled Dasyure

Neophascogale loventzii

French: Dasyure de Lorentz / German: Neuguinea-Spitzhornchenbeutler / Spanish: Dasiuro moteado

Other common names: Long-clawed Marsupial Mouse

Taxonomy. Phascogale lorentzii Jentink, 1911 ,

Helwig Mtns , south of Mt. Wilhelmina , 2600 m, Djajawidjaja (= Jayawijaya) Division, Prov. of Papua (= Irian Jaya), New Guinea, Indonesia.

Traditional morphology regarded Neophascogale as primitive, uniquely specialized, and not closely related to highly derived quolls ( Dasyurus ) and the Tasmanian Devil ( Sarcophilus harrisiz). Nevertheless, more recent genetic research has suggested that Neophascogale is well resolved as sister to Phascolosorex and these two genera form a clade that is sister to a clade containing quolls and the Tasmanian Devil. Monotypic.

Distribution. Central Range of New Guinea, from the Weyland Range in the W to the Hagen Range in the E.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 17.1-22 cm (males) and 16.6-22 cm (females), tail 17-21.4 cm (males) and 17.4-20 cm (females); weight 212 g (males). The Speckled Dasyure can be distinguished from all other New Guinean dasyurids by its very long claws,relatively small eyes, no dorsalstripe, and a silvery, speckled fur color.

Habitat. Montane and moss tropical forest and subalpine grassland. The Speckled Dasyure has been recorded at elevations of 1200-3900 m, but it is primarily found above 2000 m.

Food and Feeding. There is no specific information available for this species, but Speckled Dasyures have survived in captivity for several months on strips of beef, cicadas, and beetles.

Breeding. In one study, the Speckled Dasyure was targeted in the vicinity of Porgera (5° 28’ S, 143° 11" E), Enga Province, Papua New Guinea in June 1985, but trapping was unsuccessful. Subsequently, local people captured two individuals. One was an adult male, caught on 30 April; he died on 1 May and was preserved for posterity. Museum examination of this male indicated that spermatogenesis was occurring. The second capture was ajuvenile female; the female was caught by hand during the day in a garden on the north-western side of Mount Paiam. She was held in captivity and first entered estrus in January 1986, weighing c.130 g. Additional estrous periods occurred at irregular intervals (93-126 days) in January, February, March, May, July, September, November, and December. Number of eggs shed by this female in a pseudopregnancy from just one ovary was greater than the number of young that could be accommodated on four nipples in the pouch. Duration of pseudopregnancy was 26-35 days (mean 31). Occurrence of estrus in most months of the year suggests that Speckled Dasyures have the potential to breed throughout the year, but no evidence for this was observed in a study of museum specimens.

Activity patterns. The Speckled Dasyure is diurnal, arboreal and ground dwelling. In the Kwiyawagi area ofIrian Jaya, Lani hunters shot an adult male, foraging in daylight hours, with bow and arrow.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no information available for this species.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The [UCN Red List. The Speckled Dasyure has a wide distribution, can be locally common, and does not face any major conservation threats. Speckled Dasyures are believed to be more common at higher than lower elevations. The Third Archbold Expedition (1938-1939) obtained 96 specimensat elevations of 2400-3300 m in the region of Lake Habbema and Mount Wilhelmina. Given the high number of Speckled Dasyures collected, they must have been abundant at that location, but an attempt to collect them in the same area in 1988 proved unsuccessful.

Bibliography. Flannery (1995a), Helgen (2007a, 2007b), Woolley (2001), Woolley, Leary, Wright et al. (2008).

Figures

On following pages: 29. Black-tailed Antechinus (Antechinus arktos); 30. Fawn Antechinus (Antechinus bellus); 31. Yellow-footed Antechinus (Antechinus flavipes), 32. Atherton Antechinus (Antechinus godmani); 33. Cinnamon Antechinus (Antechinus leo); 34. Swamp Antechinus (Antechinus minimus); 35. Buff-footed Antechinus (Antechinus mysticus); 36. Brown Antechinus (Antechinus stuartil); 37. Subtropical Antechinus (Antechinus subtropicus); 38. Dusky Antechinus (Antechinus swainsonii).

Distribution. Central Range of New Guinea, from the Weyland Range in the W to the Hagen Range in the E.