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Dasyurinae

(Subfamily)

Overview

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The Dasyurinae includes several genera of small carnivorous marsupials native to Australia: quolls, Kowari, Mulgara, Kaluta, dibblers, phascogales pseudantechinuses, and the Tasmanian Devil. The subfamily is defined largely on biochemical criteria.

Order Dasyuromorphia

Photos

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Taxonomy

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The Subfamily Dasyurinae is a member of the Family Dasyuridae. Here is the complete "parentage" of Dasyurinae:

The Subfamily Dasyurinae is further organized into finer groupings including:

Genera

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Antechinus

Antechinus is a genus of marsupial that is indigenous to Australia (including Tasmania and some outlying islands) and New Guinea. The majority of Antechinus species occur in Australia and only two species (currently with a putative third) have been described in New Guinea. Members of this species have been called broad-footed marsupial mice, pouched mice, or antechinus shrews. However, these common names are to be considered either regional or archaic and the modern common name for animals of this genus is 'antechinus'. [more]

Dasycercus

Mulgaras are the two species in the Dasycercus genus.. They are carnivores closely related to the Tasmanian Devil and the quolls that lives in deserts and spinifex bush of central Australia. They are 12.5-22 cm long with a 7-13 cm tail. They are nocturnal but occasionally "sunbathe" in the entrance of the burrow it dwells in. They tend to stay in places that have been in shadow. Their kidneys are highly developed to excrete extremely concentrated urine in order to preserve water, as the animals never drink. They feed mostly on insects, but also eat lizards and newborn snakes. They breed from June-September and have litters of 6-7 young. The pouch comprises two lateral folds of skin. [more]

Dasykaluta

The Little Red Kaluta (Dasykaluta rosamondae), also known as the Little Red Antechinus, Russet Antechinus, Spinifex Antechinus or simply Kaluta, is a carnivorous nocturnal . It lives in the dry areas of Western Australia. Individuals are 9-11 cm (3.5-4.3 in) long and weigh 20-40 grams (0.7-1.4 oz). They live for about three years in captivity. [more]

Dasyuroides

The Kowari (Dasyuroides byrnei), also known as the Brush-tailed Marsupial Rat, Kayer Rat, Byrne's Crest-tailed Marsupial Rat, Bushy-tailed Marsupial Rat and Kawiri, is a small marsupial native to the dry grasslands and deserts of central Australia. [more]

Dasyurus

Quolls or native cats (genus Dasyurus) are marsupials, native to Australia and Papua New Guinea. Adults are between 25 and 75 cm long, with hairy tails about 20-35 cm long. Females have six to eight nipples and develop a pouch—which opens towards the tail—only during the breeding season, when they are rearing young. Quolls live both in forests and in open valley land. Though primarily ground-dwelling, they have developed secondary arboreal characteristics. They do not have prehensile tails, but do have ridges on the pads of their feet. Their molars and canines are strongly developed. [more]

Murexia

The Short-furred Dasyure (Murexia longicaudata), also known as the Short-haired Marsupial Mouse, is a member of the order. It is the only species in the Murexia genus. It lives in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. [more]

Myoictis

[more]

Neophascogale

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia. [more]

Parantechinus

Dibbler is the common name for Parantechinus apicalis, an endangered species of marsupial. It is an inhabitant of the southwest mainland of and some offshore islands. A member of the Dasyuromorphia order, it is small, carnivorous, nocturnal, with speckled fur that is white around the eyes. [more]

Phascogale

The Phascogales (members of the eponymous Phascogale), also known as Wambengers, are carnivorous Australian marsupials of the family Dasyuridae. There are two species: the Brush-tailed Phascogale (Phascogale tapoatafa) and the Red-tailed Phascogale (Phascogale calura). As with a number of dasyurid species, the males live for only one year, dying after a period of frenzied mating. The term Phascogale was coined in 1824 by Coenraad Jacob Temminck in reference to the Brush-tailed Phascogale, and means "pouched weasel". [more]

Phascolosorex

The two species in the Phascolosorex, also known as marsupial shrews, are members of the Dasyuromorphia order. [more]

Pseudantechinus

The Pseudantechinus are members of the Dasyuromorphia order. They are often called false antechinuses, although this genus includes the Sandstone Dibbler, which was previously assigned to a different genus. [more]

Sarcophilus

Sarcophilus is a genus of best known for its only living member, the Tasmanian Devil. [more]

At least 8 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Sarcophilus.

More info about the Genus Sarcophilus may be found here.

References

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Sources

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Last Revised: January 24, 2010
2010/01/24 04:02:41