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The genus ''Planigale'' are small carnivorous marsupials found in
Planigales are the smallest of all marsupials, some members of this carnivorous group weighing less than 5 grams. Being small, nocturnal and secretive, they are rarely seen; however, they are generally common in many parts of the arid interior of Western Australia. Their small size and puzzling nature make them difficult to tell apart, but with recent work being undertaken at th
Western Australian Museum
on the Planigales collections it has been possible to recognise two species new to science. Though yet to be formally described and published, these species are easiest to tell apart externally by the shape of their footpads. Consequently, the museum has taken a series of footpad photos to aid in identification of the species constituting this genus.
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
and New Guinea
New Guinea (; Hiri Motu
Hiri Motu, also known as Police Motu, Pidgin Motu, or just Hiri, is a language of Papua New Guinea, which is spoken in surrounding areas of Port Moresby (Capital of Papua New Guinea).
It is a simplified version of ...
. It is the only genus in the tribe Planigalini of the subfamily Sminthopsinae
The subfamily Sminthopsinae includes several genera of small, carnivorous marsupials native to Australia: kultarrs, ningauis, dunnarts, and planigales.
Classification
* Subfamily Sminthopsinae
** Tribe Sminthopsini
*** Genus '' Antechinomys' ...
. There are five species:
* Paucident planigale
The paucident planigale (''Planigale gilesi''), also known as Giles' planigale, is a very small species of carnivorous marsupial of the family ''Dasyuridae''.
Taxonomy
The paucident planigale was not formally described until 1972, when it was na ...
, ''Planigale gilesi''
* Long-tailed planigale
The long-tailed planigale (''Planigale ingrami''), also known as Ingram's planigale or the northern planigale, is the smallest of all marsupials, and one of the smallest of all mammals. It is rarely seen but is a quite common inhabitant of the bl ...
, ''Planigale ingrami''
* Common planigale
The common planigale (''Planigale maculata''), also known as the pygmy planigale or the coastal planigale, is one of many small marsupial carnivores known as "marsupial mice" found in Australia. There they fill a similar niche to the insectivore ...
, ''Planigale maculata''
* New Guinean planigale
The New Guinean planigale (''Planigale novaeguineae''), also known as the Papuan planigale, is a species of small marsupial carnivore native to the Trans-Fly savanna and grasslands of New Guinea
New Guinea (; Hiri Motu: ''Niu Gini''; id ...
, ''Planigale novaeguineae''
* Narrow-nosed planigale
The narrow-nosed planigale (''Planigale tenuirostris'') is a species of very small marsupial carnivore of the family Dasyuridae.
Taxonomy
The narrow-nosed planigale was described by Ellis Le Geyt Troughton in 1928, separating it from the common ...
, ''Planigale tenuirostris''
Species Identification
Planigales are the smallest of all marsupials, some members of this carnivorous group weighing less than 5 grams. Being small, nocturnal and secretive, they are rarely seen; however, they are generally common in many parts of the arid interior of Western Australia. Their small size and puzzling nature make them difficult to tell apart, but with recent work being undertaken at thWestern Australian Museum
on the Planigales collections it has been possible to recognise two species new to science. Though yet to be formally described and published, these species are easiest to tell apart externally by the shape of their footpads. Consequently, the museum has taken a series of footpad photos to aid in identification of the species constituting this genus.
References
* Dasyuromorphs Marsupial genera {{marsupial-stub