Antechinus bellus

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• Classification Schemes
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• Bibliography
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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	DASYUROMORPHIA	DASYURIDAE

Scientific Name:	Antechinus bellus
Species Authority:	(Thomas, 1904)
Common Name/s: English – Fawn Antechinus French – Souris Marsupiale Jolie

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:	Least Concern     ver 3.1
Year Published:	2008
Assessor/s:	Woinarski, J. & Oakwood, M.
Reviewer/s:	Lamoreux, J. & Hilton-Taylor, C. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)
Justification: Listed as Least Concern because, although a possible major threat from cane toads could exist, it has a wide distribution, presumed large population, occurs in protected areas, and it is unlikely to be declining at nearly the rate required to qualify for listing in a threatened category.
History:	1996 – Lower Risk/least concern 1996 – Lower Risk/least concern (Baillie and Groombridge 1996)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is endemic to Australia, where it is distributed in the tropical monsoonal part of Northern Territory (Watson and Calaby 2008). It is present in Kakadu National Park and Litchfield National Park.
Countries:	Native: Australia
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	The population size of this species fluctuates. The species is patchily distributed, even in appropriate habitat.
Population Trend:	Stable

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It is found in areas of woodland and open forest, dominated by eucalypts, with a grassy or shrubby understorey (Watson and Calaby 2008). The females may give birth to 10 young (Watson and Calaby 2008).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):

Cane toads may be a threat (research underway). The spread of exotic grasses and changes in fire regime may be threats (affecting foraging success).

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:

The species is present in several protected areas (e.g., Kakadu National Park and Litchfield National Park). Further studies are needed into possible threats (response to fire and toads) to the species. Monitoring is needed, along with increased management of the area.

Bibliography [top]

Watson, M. L. and Calaby, J. H. 2008. Fawn Antechinus, Antechinus bellus. In: S. Van Dyck and R. Strahan (eds), The mammals of Australia. Third Edition, pp. 85-86. Reed New Holland, Sydney, Australia.