Predatory marsupials. Family: Dasyuridae = Predatory marsupials Detachment of predatory marsupials
Family taxonomy Predatory marsupials:
Subfamily: Dasyurinae =
Genus: Dasykaluta = West Australian marsupial mice
Genus: Dasyuroides Spencer, 1896 = Two-crested predatory marsupials
Genus: Myoictis Gray, 1858 = Striped marsupial martens
Genus: Neophascogale Stein, 1933 = Long-clawed marsupial mice
Genus: Parantechinus = Speckled marsupial mice
Genus: Phascolosorex Matschie, 1916 = Striped marsupial rats
Genus: Pseudantechinus = Fat-tailed marsupial mice
Subfamily: Planigalinae =
Genus: Ningaui Archer, 1975 = Ningo
Genus: Planigale Troughton, 1928 = Flat-headed marsupial rats
Genus: Aepyprymnus Garrod, 1875 = Large rat kangaroos
Genus: Bettongia Gray, 1837 = Short-faced kangaroos
Genus: Caloprymnus Thomas, 1888 = Bare-chested kangaroos
Genus: Hypsiprymnodon Ramsay, 1876 = Musk kangaroos
Genus: Lagostrophus Thomas, 1887 = Striped kangaroos
Genus: Potorous Desmarest, 1804 = Potorous
a brief description of families
Among other families of the order, carnivorous marsupials are the most primitive. To this family belong the smallest in the order, medium or large and very diverse in appearance and way of life marsupials. The body length ranges from 4-10 cm in representatives of the genus of flat-headed marsupial mice to 100-110 cm in the marsupial wolf. Body build varies from squat and clumsy to slender, high-legged. The shape of the muzzle is blunt to pointed. The ears are small or of medium height. Unlike representatives of the opossum family, the tail of predatory marsupials is not grasping and in most species is covered with hair along its entire length. Often fat is deposited in the tail, and then it is thickened.
The forelimbs are five-fingered, and the hind limbs are four- or five-fingered. The thumb of the hind limb, when present, is small and lacks a claw. The hind limbs can be disproportionately elongated, and the forelimbs shortened (marsupial jerboas). Brood bag may be absent, weakly or well developed (in the latter case, it opens back). The number of nipples in females varies from 2 to 12 (usually 6-8).
hairline short, thick and soft. Its color is brown with different shades, gray, reddish or blackish, sometimes with white spots (a genus of spotted marsupial martens) or black stripes (striped marsupial marten etc.) on the back.
The dental formula varies in different members of the family from 42 to 46 teeth. The incisors are small, the fangs are large. Cheek teeth with three sharp apices on the chewing surface. Indigenous are especially large. 7 cervical vertebrae, 13 thoracic, 6 lumbar, 2 sacral and 18-25 caudal.
The genitourinary sinus and rectum are separated from each other. The ureter opens in males at the base of the penis, and the vas deferens at its top. The stomach is simple. The caecum is absent. The following studied genera have a diploid set of 14 chromosomes: marsupial mice, spotted marsupial martens, narrow-legged marsupial mice and Tasmanian devils.
Predatory marsupials are found in a wide variety of landscapes and at various altitudes from the sea coast to 4000 m above sea level. They lead a terrestrial (most representatives) or arboreal lifestyle, activity is predominantly nocturnal. They usually keep alone. Usually large representatives of the family are carnivores, small ones are insectivorous. For most species, a monoestrous type of reproduction is characteristic. Pregnancy 8-30 days. The number of cubs is 3-10. The young remain in the pouch for about 150 days. Sexual maturity occurs at 8-12 months. Lifespan in small forms up to 7, and in large ones up to 10-12 years.
common in Australia, Tasmania, New Guinea and adjacent small islands.
There are 13 genera (48 species) in the family. marsupial anteater(sem. Myrmecobiidae) feeds on ants and termites and, unlike carnivores, leads a diurnal lifestyle. Marsupial mole (sem. Notoryctidae) in appearance, lifestyle and nutrition resembles our mole. Bandicoot family, or marsupial badgers, - Peramelidae includes 19 species of mobile small animals inhabiting river valleys and forest edges; mixed food. Family of rat opossums Caenolestidae in appearance resembles rats or shrews; feed on various invertebrates; forest dwellers. Couscous family - Phalangeridae includes 43 species, very diverse in appearance; resemble mice, rats, squirrels, martens and foxes; body length 6-80 cm. Most species are herbivorous, some are omnivorous or insectivorous. This family also includes peculiar marsupial bears, or koala, - Phascolarctos cinereus. Marmots resemble wombats (2 species, family Phascolomyidae) - inhabitants of the steppes, savannas and forests, digging long holes; feed on grass, roots and bark of trees. The female gives birth to only one cub.
Literature:
1. V. E. Sokolov, Systematics of Mammals. Proc. allowance for universities. M., " graduate School”, 1973. 432 pages with illustrations.
2. Naumov N. P., Kartashev N. N. Vertebrate Zoology. - Part 2. - Reptiles, birds, mammals: A textbook for biologist. specialist. Univ. - M.: Higher. school, 1979. - 272 p., ill.
Dasyuromorphia Gill, 1872
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An excerpt characterizing Predatory marsupials
Both were dressed in white and red long clothes, girded with a thick, twisted, red cord. The world around this unusual couple swayed smoothly, changing its shape, as if they were sitting in some kind of closed oscillating space, accessible only to the two of them. The air around was fragrant and cool, it smelled of forest herbs, fir trees and raspberries... A light, occasionally running breeze gently caressed the juicy tall grass, leaving in it the smells of distant lilacs, fresh milk and cedar cones... The land here was so surprisingly safe , pure and kind, as if worldly anxieties did not touch her, human malice did not penetrate into her, as if a deceitful, changeable person did not set foot there ...The two speakers got up and, smiling at each other, began to say goodbye. Svetodar was the first to speak.
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Family Predatory marsupials (Dasyuridae)
Primitive and most closely related to American opossums. They have an archaic dentition with a complete row of incisors. For them, the primitive structure of the hind limbs is typical: they are five-fingered, all fingers are well developed and separated from one another. The dentition, leg structure, and size of these animals suggest that one of the most primitive members of the family, the yellow-footed marsupial mouse, closely resembles the ancient original form from which all marsupials once developed.
The family of carnivorous marsupials (it would be more correct to call it a family of carnivores and insectivores) has 2 subfamilies, of which the most species-rich primitive subfamily of marsupial mice, or mouse species, is a subfamily of carnivorous marsupials proper.
Representatives of the subfamily of marsupial mice, or mouse species (Phascogalinae), resemble ordinary mice and rats in size. There are also very small forms among them. For example, the body length of the Kimberly marsupial mouse (Planigale subtilissima) is only 45 mm. It is the smallest living marsupial.
marsupial mice are characterized by a primitive dental system: they have many small incisors and primitive three-cusp molars, convenient for grinding insects. The basis of the nutrition of these animals is beetles, locusts, centipedes, arachnids, earthworms, small lizards. Marsupial mice also attack house mice and even rats introduced by humans. These are agile, courageous and voracious animals.
The subfamily contains 10 genera and 34 species. Most of them (the genera Antechinus, Planigale, Dasycercus and Smin-thopsis) are known as various marsupial mice proper, or mouse-like mice. Animals belonging to the genera Phascogale and Dasyuroides are larger; they are commonly referred to as marsupial rats. In addition, marsupial jerboas (genus Antechinomys) belong to the subfamily.
Most representatives of the subfamily are inhabitants of arid and semi-arid regions: forests, mountains, steppes and semi-deserts.
As already mentioned, at different types the pouch is very unevenly developed. Studying this subfamily, one can trace how the pouch was formed in marsupials in general through gradual transitions. The number of nipples in representatives of this subfamily varies from 6 to 12, which approximately corresponds to the number of cubs. The size of a newborn is about 1 cm.
Marsupial mice climb trees well. Their usual shelters are voids and crevices in rocks, trees, and soil.
Flat-headed marsupial mice, or mice (genus Planigale), belong to three species. They are characterized by a strongly flattened skull, similar to that of a lizard. Thanks to him, the animals can crawl into the narrowest cracks, for example, into cracks in dry soil. They inhabit drying swamps and reservoirs, usually covered with impenetrable thickets of hard grasses. The basis of nutrition is locusts.
All representatives of the genus are smaller than our house mouse.
Comb-tailed marsupial mice, or mice (genus Dasycercus), belong to two species living in the Australian deserts. At the base of the tail there is a thickening containing reserves of fat. These are diurnal animals. They often lie sprawled like lizards and bask in the sun. They can tolerate very large (for mammals) doses of insolation. The bag is almost missing. The cubs, hanging on the mother's nipples for about a month, are protected only by a small lateral fold of skin. Catching and observing these animals is very difficult. The comb-tailed mulgara mouse (Dasycercus cristicauda) is very voracious, but is easily tamed and lives well in captivity. Mulgara destroys many house mice and even rats.
Slender, big-eared narrow-legged marsupial mice, or mouse-like mice, are representatives of the extensive genus Sminthopsis, numbering 12 species. Most of them live on the Australian mainland, one species is in Tasmania and one is in New Guinea. They inhabit arid steppes and semi-desert areas. They are mainly insectivorous, but on occasion they willingly attack house mice and other small animals. They have a very developed care for offspring. A farmer in New South Wales plowed out of a mink a female narrow-legged marsupial mouse with ten cubs hanging on her sides. He noticed her as she slowly walked away with her unbearable burden. When several cubs were removed from her, she did not run away, but ran around squeaking until she managed to collect all ten cubs on her back again. Narrow-legged marsupial mice are well tamed. They are very voracious. So, one animal weighing about 20 g per night in a cage ate 5 earthworms and 3 small lizards - ate it without a trace, with skin and bones. These animals are very useful, because in huge number destroy insects: locusts, cockroaches, termites. Unfortunately, in many areas they are almost destroyed by feral cats.
Marsupial rats differ from marsupial mice proper in size. There are two genera of marsupial rats: brush-tailed (genus Phascogale) and comb-tailed (genus Dasyuroides).
Marsupial jerboas (genus Antechinomys) are graceful little animals with large ears and strongly developed hind legs and tail, jumping up to almost 2 liters in length. Their forelimbs, although shorter than their hind limbs, are not as reduced as, for example, in kangaroos. The “technique” of their movement is more like jumping a hare. The feet of the paws are swollen in the form of pillows. The tail is very long, with a brush at the end and bent so that the animal can lean on it during the jump, as real jerboas and kangaroos do.
Marsupial jerboas inhabit the dry savannas of Eastern Australia and rocky or sandy areas of Central Australia. Australian desert. These are strictly nocturnal animals, very poorly studied.
They are insectivorous, but on occasion they attack small lizards and rodents; in captivity they eat meat. Planted in a box with mice, they are immediately attacked.
The usual number of young is 7. The pouch is poorly developed and opens backwards.
The subfamily of carnivorous marsupials proper (Dasyurinae) includes larger and highly organized animals. The subfamily includes small-sized spotted animals, known in Australia under the name of marsupial, or native, cats and the larger marsupial, or Tasmanian, devil. Outwardly, these animals are very different, but they have a common origin.
Marsupial, or native, cats are a transitional group from insectivorous mice to real predators - tasmanian devil, and then the marsupial wolf. In the structure of their teeth, one can trace a number of transitions from the insectivorous type of nutrition to the predatory one. Native cats resemble both ordinary cats, and to a greater extent small predators like martens or mongoose. They have a thin, graceful muzzle and a long fluffy tail. The gray or reddish skin is covered with evenly spaced white spots. According to the legends local residents, these spots are traces of wounds accidentally received by these animals during the battle that took place between two heroes of the South Australian tribes - Pilla and Indus. Marsupial cats played a large role in ancient rituals and participated in mystical religious ceremonies.
Almost all marsupial cats are arboreal animals. They track down prey and overtake it with a jump. There are 5 types of marsupial cats. Of these, the most primitive is the small northern cat (Satanellus hallucatus) - small, pure tree view. The most highly developed representatives of the genus Dasyurops. Below, two representatives of marsupial cats, the quoll and the brindle cat, are considered in more detail.
marsupials animals are mammals that give birth to premature offspring. Cubs of marsupials are born on early stage development and further develop inside a special skin bag of the mother. Most marsupials, with the exception of opossums, are native to the Americas. For millions of years Australia has been isolated from the rest of the world. On other continents, marsupials have given way to placental animals (mammals whose young are fully developed in the womb) in the struggle for food and living space. Therefore, all of them, with the exception of, died out. But in Australia, marsupials had no rivals. A number of marsupials has more than 250 species.
Cubs of marsupials, being born, have tiny sizes; they are blind and hairless. Their limbs are underdeveloped, but the babies crawl along the mother's coat to her nipples. After a few months, the cubs leave the bag, but can return to it for the night until they reach the age of one. Marsupials eat plant and animal food.
Predatory marsupials‒ a range of small carnivorous marsupials, which include spotted marsupial martens, narrow-footed marsupial mice, nambat and Tasmanian devil.
Nambat
Nambat It is a marsupial with stripes on its back, dark stripes around the eyes, and a bushy tail (also known as the striped anteater). Termites form the basis of the nambat diet.
Spotted marsupial marten
Spotted marsupial marten also known as marsupial cat. They have a pink nose and white spots on their backs. In females, the bag is formed only during the mating season.
Tasmanian devil
- the most terrible predator of the whole family; lives on the Australian island of Tasmania. This is a squat animal with dark hair and white spots on the chest. It feeds mainly on carrion, but can also prey on small animals.
marsupial mole
marsupial mole- a marsupial animal, very similar to ordinary moles in appearance and habits. These creatures dig underground, preying on insects and worms. Females have pouches that open backwards and only have two nipples (meaning they can only give birth to two babies at a time).
Two-crested marsupials- a number of marsupials, which include kangaroos, wallabies, possums, koalas and wombats. They have two large front teeth in the lower jaw. The second and third toes of the hind paws of these animals are fused. They predominantly herbivores.
honey badger possum
honey badger possum- a small animal with a long tail and a very elongated muzzle, adapted to search for nectar and pollen in flowers. It is one of the few mammals that feed on nectar.
Koala
Lives in trees and feeds on leaves and shoots of eucalyptus; has a big nose and ears. With the help of tenacious paws, koalas deftly climb trees, while cubs hold on to their mother's back. Inhabits the eucalyptus forests of the southern and southeastern regions of Australia. A solitary animal, but the territorial ranges of males and females may overlap.
wallaby
wallaby- a small animal with thicker hair than its relative - a kangaroo; lives in rocky deserts, meadows and forests.
Wombat
It has short tail and small paws. Wombats are wonderful diggers, they live in underground burrows. The females' pouches open backwards, protecting them from soil getting inside.
Kangaroo
Kangaroo live in Australia, Tasmania, New Guinea and the Bismarck archipelago. They live in groups (herds) on open grassy plains. Today there are about 50 various kinds. Kangaroo moves by jumping on long hind legs. All of them have fairly short forelimbs and strong hind limbs, and also - almost all species - a long powerful tail, which can reach a meter in length and serves as a balancer and additional support for the kangaroo. Females have a pouch on their abdomen in which the young develop. Kangaroo pregnancy lasts only 30-40 days. A baby is born the size of thumb person. After that, it immediately moves into the mother's bag and firmly sticks to one of the nipples. The little kangaroo gets out for the first time only after a few months.
Some interesting facts about marsupials
The body sizes of marsupials range from a few centimeters to 1.5 meters. The smallest marsupial animal on Earth is the long-tailed marsupial mouse. The length of her body is from 80 to 100 mm, tail - from 180 to 210 mm. The largest marsupial animal is considered a large red kangaroo. Adult kangaroos can reach 2 m in height. A baby giant kangaroo stays in its mother's pouch for about 235 days.
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