grey-bellied dunnart
{{Short description|Species of marsupial}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2019}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Grey-bellied dunnart{{MSW3 Groves|pages=34}}
| image =
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| genus = Sminthopsis
| species = griseoventor
| authority = (Kitchener, Stoddart & Henry, 1984)
| range_map = Grey-bellied Dunnart area.png
| range_map_caption = Grey-bellied dunnart range
}}
The grey-bellied dunnart (Sminthopsis griseoventer), alternately spelled gray-bellied dunnart, was described by Kitchener, Stoddart and Henry along with the Kangaroo Island dunnart, Gilbert's dunnart and little long-tailed dunnart in 1984. They also described the Mallee ningaui in 1983.
The average body length of a specimen can vary between 130–192 mm with a tail of 65–98 mm and body to anus of 65–95 mm. The olive grey ears have a length of between 17–18 mm. The hind feet have an average length of between 16–17 mm. Its weight varies between 15-25 grams.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}
Distribution and habitat
Found in Western Australia on the coastal south west fringes and associated ranges. From north to south then to east, Gairdner Ranges to Cape Arid National Park, its habitat rarely stretches {{convert|100|km|0|abbr=on}} inland from the coast.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} A population was discovered in December 2003 in South Australia during a Department for Environment and Heritage Biological Survey on Eyre Peninsula{{Cite journal |last=Kemper |first=Catherine M. |last2=Cooper |first2=Steven J. B. |last3=Medlin |first3=Graham C. |last4=Adams |first4=Mark |last5=Stemmer |first5=David |last6=Saint |first6=Kathleen M. |last7=McDowell |first7=Matthew C. |last8=Austin |first8=Jeremy J. |date=2011-11-23 |title=Cryptic grey-bellied dunnart (Sminthopsis griseoventer) discovered in South Australia: genetic, morphological and subfossil analyses show the value of collecting voucher material |url=https://www.publish.csiro.au/zo/ZO11037 |journal=Australian Journal of Zoology |language=en |volume=59 |issue=3 |pages=127–144 |doi=10.1071/ZO11037 |issn=1446-5698}} in the Hincks and Bascombe Well conservation parks.{{Citation |last=Brandle |first=R. |title=A Biological Survey of the Eyre Peninsula South Australia |date=2010 |work=Biological Survey South Australia |url=https://data.environment.sa.gov.au/Content/Publications/Eyre-Peninsula-BioSurvey.pdf |publisher=Science Resource Centre Information, Science and Technology Directorate Department for Environment and Heritage}} Habitat includes heathy forests, woodland, melaleuca swamplands dense mature heathland.
No subspecies is identified.{{fact|date=February 2021}}
Social organisation and breeding
They are nocturnal and inhabit leaf litter and burrows. Breeding is done in a nest below ground a few centimetres, with 8 born in August for Boulenger Island and October of other areas. Only 1 litter is born.
Diet
This dunnart is a nocturnal omnivorous marsupial that eats insects, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians as well as soft fruit.{{fact|date=February 2021}}
References
{{Reflist}}
- {{cite book|title=Mammals of Victoria|first=Peter W.|last=Menkhorst|publisher=Oxford Press|year=1995|isbn=0-19-553733-5}}
External links
- [http://www.deh.gov.au/cgi-bin/abrs/fauna/details.pl?pstrVol=MARSUPIALIA;pstrTaxa=899;pstrChecklistMode=1 Australian Biological Resources Study]{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
{{Dasyuromorphia|D.S.}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q134076}}
Category:Mammals of South Australia
Category:Mammals of Western Australia
Category:Marsupials of Australia
Category:Mammals described in 1984