Zyzomys pedunculatus

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

View Printer Friendly

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	RODENTIA	MURIDAE

Scientific Name:

Zyzomys pedunculatus

Species Authority:

(Waite, 1896)

Common Name/s:

English	–	Central Rock Rat, Central Thick-tailed Rock-rat, Macdonnell Range Rock-rat
French	–	Rat À Grosse Queue
Spanish	–	Rata Coligorda

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Critically Endangered A2b ver 3.1

Year Published:

2008

Assessor/s:

Woinarski, J. & Morris, K.

Reviewer/s:

Lamoreux, J. (Global Mammal Assessment Team) & Amori, G. (Small Nonvolant Mammal Red List Authority)

Justification:
Listed as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) because of a drastic population decline, estimated to be more than 80% over the last ten years that may not have ceased. The species was trapped from 14 locations in 2001, but it has not been recorded since and drought and wildfire struck the area in 2002. Although this species likely has a history of recovery and expansion during wet periods, its disappearance since 2002 is longer than the normal low period in a natural population fluctuation.

History:

1996	–	Critically Endangered (Baillie and Groombridge 1996)
1994	–	Endangered (Groombridge 1994)
1990	–	Endangered (IUCN 1990)
1988	–	Indeterminate (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1988)
1986	–	Indeterminate (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1986)
1982	–	Indeterminate (Thornback and Jenkins 1982)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is endemic to Australia, where it is known only from disjunct localities along a 77 km length of the West MacDonnell Ranges, Northern Territory (Cole 2000). The species has previously been recorded from living animals or cave deposits in Northern Territory at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Illamurta (James Range), Haast's Bluff (West MacDonnell Ranges), Mount Liebig, Napperby Station, Devils Marbles, The Granites (Tanami Desert), and the Davenport Range. It is known from cave deposits in the Cape Range, Western Australia (Cole 2000).
Countries:	Possibly extinct: Australia
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	The population size and abundance of this species is not well known. The species was thought to be extinct (no records between 1960 and 1996), and was subsequently rediscovered in fourteen sites in 1996-2001. The species, however, has not been recorded since drought and wildfire struck in 2002 (Nano 2008). Populations of the species have certainly crashed, but it is quite possible that the species remains undetected in low numbers.
Population Trend:	Unknown

Population:

The population size and abundance of this species is not well known. The species was thought to be extinct (no records between 1960 and 1996), and was subsequently rediscovered in fourteen sites in 1996-2001. The species, however, has not been recorded since drought and wildfire struck in 2002 (Nano 2008). Populations of the species have certainly crashed, but it is quite possible that the species remains undetected in low numbers.

Population Trend:

Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	The habitat requirements of this species are incompletely known. It has been found in rocky outcrop and scree areas with hummock grassland, low open shrubland, and low open woodland (Cole 2000; Nano 2008). Captive females have given birth to between three and four young (Nano 2008). This species' diet consists primarily of seeds from shrubs, forbs, and grassses, as well as leaf material from these plants (which respond positively to fire) (Pavey 2002).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

The habitat requirements of this species are incompletely known. It has been found in rocky outcrop and scree areas with hummock grassland, low open shrubland, and low open woodland (Cole 2000; Nano 2008). Captive females have given birth to between three and four young (Nano 2008). This species' diet consists primarily of seeds from shrubs, forbs, and grassses, as well as leaf material from these plants (which respond positively to fire) (Pavey 2002).

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Fires likely limit the available habitat for the species (Cole 2000). The spread of buffalo grass, which kills off native grasses, is another threat, and is linked to disturbance of the fire regime. Other potential threatening processes include predation by dingo and habitat degradation due to grazing by feral herbivores, especially horses (Pavey 2002).

Major Threat(s):

Fires likely limit the available habitat for the species (Cole 2000). The spread of buffalo grass, which kills off native grasses, is another threat, and is linked to disturbance of the fire regime. Other potential threatening processes include predation by dingo and habitat degradation due to grazing by feral herbivores, especially horses (Pavey 2002).

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	This species is listed on Appendix I of CITES. All populations seem to be within the West MacDonnell Range National Park. Field surveys are urgently needed to relocate this species. The park has a fire management strategy to protect the vegetation on which this species is dependent. A Recovery Plan for this species is being developed. Further studies into the distribution, population, natural history, and threats to this species are planned. Also, the feasibility of reintroducing or introducing populations of this species should be investigated. Captive breeding is underway at Perth Zoo and Alice Springs Desert Park.

Conservation Actions:

This species is listed on Appendix I of CITES. All populations seem to be within the West MacDonnell Range National Park. Field surveys are urgently needed to relocate this species. The park has a fire management strategy to protect the vegetation on which this species is dependent. A Recovery Plan for this species is being developed. Further studies into the distribution, population, natural history, and threats to this species are planned. Also, the feasibility of reintroducing or introducing populations of this species should be investigated. Captive breeding is underway at Perth Zoo and Alice Springs Desert Park.

Citation:	Woinarski, J. & Morris, K. 2008. Zyzomys pedunculatus. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 26 May 2012.
Disclaimer:	To make use of this information, please check the <Terms of Use>.
Feedback:	If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown on this page, please fill in the feedback form so that we can correct or extend the information provided