Ningaui

Ningaui
Ningauis[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Marsupialia
Order: Dasyuromorphia
Family: Dasyuridae
Subfamily: Sminthopsinae
Tribe: Sminthopsini
Genus: Ningaui
Archer, 1975
Type species
Ningaui timealeyi
Archer, 1975
Species

Ningauis, members of the genus Ningaui, are small members of the dasyurid family. Along with the planigales, they are among the smallest marsupials. They are related to the dunnarts and are restricted to arid regions of Australia.[2]

All ningauis are nocturnal hunters of invertebrates. In appearance they resemble mice or similar small rodents, but can be distinguished by their pointed snouts. The genus Ningaui was one of the last of the Australian marsupial genera to be erected; this occurred with the surprise discovery of the Wongai Ningaui (N. ridei) and the Pilbara Ningaui (N. timealeyi) in 1975.[2]

The name "ningaui" refers to a creature from Aboriginal myth.[3]

Species

The three species of ningaui are:[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Groves, C. (2005). Wilson, D. E., & Reeder, D. M, eds. ed. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 27. OCLC 62265494. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3. 
  2. ^ a b Menkhorst, Peter (2001). A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Oxford University Press. p. 62. 
  3. ^ McKenzie, N.L.; Dickman, C.R. (1995). "Wongai Ningaui". In Strahan, Ronald. The Mammals of Australia. Reed Books. pp. 116–117. ISBN 0-7301-0484-2 
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