Species of rodent
The northern hopping mouse (Notomys aquilo ) is a species of rodent in the family Muridae .[ 2] [ 3] It is also known as woorrentinta, from Lardil , the language of Mornington Island .[ 4] [ 5]
It is found only in coastal northern Australia , from Arnhem Land to the Cobourg Peninsula in the Northern Territory of Australia. The only known population is in the Anindilyakwa Indigenous Protected Area on Groote Eylandt . There have two former sightings in inland central Arnhem Land and in Cape York in Queensland 120 years ago, both single recordings. Its population has not been yet been determined.[ 6] It is classified as vulnerable .[ 7]
The mouse weighs 25 to 50 grams and is brown above and white below. Its long tail measures 150% of its body length and it has long hind feet up to 4 centimeters long.
This species lives in sandy soils on heathlands and grasslands . It is nocturnal. It consumes seeds and sometimes other plant material and invertebrates.The mouse hops, leaving bipedal tracks. The females are known to construct elaborate communal burrow systems.[ 8]
Threats to this species include habitat alteration, such as changes in the fire regime and the effects of livestock . Feral cats watch the burrows and may consume several individuals in a night.[ 7]
A national recovery plan for the Northern Hopping-mouse was prepared in 2004.[ 9] It is highly elusive and 'trap-shy'. Recent surveys have been undertaken using camera traps and radio-tracking.[ 10]
References
^ Woinarski, J.; Burbidge, A.A. (2016). "Notomys aquilo " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 : e.T14862A22401364. doi :10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T14862A22401364.en . Retrieved 15 November 2021 .
^ taxonomy. "Taxonomy browser (Notomys aquilo)" . www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov . Retrieved 2024-09-14 .
^ Wilson, Don E.; Reeder, DeeAnn M., eds. (2005). Mammal species of the world: a taxonomic and geographic reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0 . OCLC 57557352 .
^ Marie, Elisabeth (2024-02-05). "Why don't people care as much about Australia's native rodents?" . Australian Geographic . Retrieved 2024-09-14 .
^ "Species Profile and Threats Database: Notomys aquilo — Northern Hopping-mouse, Woorrentinta" . Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water . Australian Government. Retrieved 14 September 2024 .{{cite web }}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link )
^ "Tiny mouse in spotlight as Aboriginal rangers fight to save vulnerable species" . ABC News . 2019-02-01. Retrieved 2024-09-14 .
^ a b "Threatened species of the Northern Territory: Northern hopping-mouse, Notomys aquilo" (PDF) . Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security . Northern Territory Government. November 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2024 .{{cite web }}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link )
^ Diete, Rebecca L.; Meek, Paul D.; Dickman, Christopher R.; Leung, Luke K.-P. (2014). "Burrowing behaviour of the northern hopping-mouse (Notomys aquilo): field observations" . Australian Mammalogy . 36 (2): 242. doi :10.1071/AM13039 . ISSN 0310-0049 .
^ "National multispecies recovery plan for the Carpentarian Antechinus Pseudantechinus mimulus, Butler's Dunnart Sminthopsis butleri, and Northern Hoppingmouse Notomys aquilo : 2004 – 2008" . Darwin: Dept. of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment. Retrieved 14 September 2024 .
^ Diete, Rebecca L.; Meek, Paul D.; Dickman, Christopher R.; Leung, Luke K.-P. (2016). "Ecology and conservation of the northern hopping-mouse (Notomys aquilo)" . Australian Journal of Zoology . 64 (1): 21. doi :10.1071/ZO15082 . ISSN 0004-959X .
Extant species of subfamily
Murinae (Pogonomys–Pseudomys)
Pogonomys Division
Pseudomys Division