The chestnut dunnart (''Sminthopsis archeri'') is a
dunnart that was described by Van Dyck in 1986 and is named because of its chestnut colour in the upperparts of its body. The length from snout to tail is 167–210 mm, of which head to anus is 85–105 mm and tail is 82–105 mm long. The hind foot size is 17–20 mm, ear length is 17–21 mm and weight is 15–20 g.
Distribution and habitat
There are a handful of records known from southern
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea (abbreviated PNG; , ; tpi, Papua Niugini; ho, Papua Niu Gini), officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea ( tpi, Independen Stet bilong Papua Niugini; ho, Independen Stet bilong Papua Niu Gini), is a country i ...
and in Australia on the east and west coasts of
Cape York Peninsula
Cape York Peninsula is a large peninsula located in Far North Queensland, Australia. It is the largest unspoiled wilderness in northern Australia.Mittermeier, R.E. et al. (2002). Wilderness: Earth’s last wild places. Mexico City: Agrupación ...
, with one record at
Blackbraes National Park west of
Townsville
Townsville is a city on the north-eastern coast of Queensland, Australia. With a population of 180,820 as of June 2018, it is the largest settlement in North Queensland; it is unofficially considered its capital. Estimated resident population, 30 ...
.
Its habitats in Australia consist of tall stringybark woodlands and tall forests situated in red earth. In Papua New Guinea it is also found in
savannah
A savanna or savannah is a mixed woodland-grassland (i.e. grassy woodland) ecosystem characterised by the trees being sufficiently widely spaced so that the canopy does not close. The open canopy allows sufficient light to reach the ground to ...
.
Social organisation and breeding
The species is little studied and not much information is known on the behaviour, but it does breed during July–October when it is the dry season.
Diet
It most likely feeds on insects and or small mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
References
Sources
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External links
Australian Biological Resources Study
{{Taxonbar, from=Q134079
Mammals of Queensland
Dasyuromorphs
Mammals of Papua New Guinea
Marsupials of Australia
Mammals described in 1986
Marsupials of New Guinea