Petrogale persephone

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	DIPROTODONTIA	MACROPODIDAE

Scientific Name:

Petrogale persephone

Species Authority:

Maynes, 1982

Common Name/s:

English

–

Proserpine Rock Wallaby, Prosperine Rock Wallaby

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Endangered B1ab(iii,v) ver 3.1

Year Published:

2008

Assessor/s:

Burnett, S. & Winter, J.

Reviewer/s:

Lamoreux, J. & Hilton-Taylor, C. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)

Contributor/s:

Justification:
Listed as Endangered because its extent of occurrence is less than 5,000 km², its distribution is severely fragmented, and there is a continuing decline in the extent and or quality of the habitat and the numbers of mature individuals (due primarily to road kills and domestic dogs).

History:

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

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species occurs from a restricted area near Proserpine in north-east coastal Queensland, Australia, including the Conway National Park, Dryander National Park, Gloucester Island National Park, and Proserpine State Forest on the Clarke Range (B. Nolan pers. comm.). One translocated/introduced population has also been established on Hayman Island from captive bred stock with additions required to this population from captive bred stock over the next 4 years (B. Nolan pers. comm.).
Countries:	Native: Australia (Queensland)
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	This species has a small and declining population.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Inhabits rock outcrops and cliffs within semi-deciduous microphyll/notophyll dry vine forest. It uses grassy areas in abutting open woodlands for food gathering in dry months of the year. It is nocturnal and commonly found between rock crevices and in caves during the day (Nolan and Johnson 2000).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	It appears to have declined mainly as a result of loss of habitat, and the proximity of the species to settled areas leading to mortality from predation by domestic dogs and road kills (Nolan and Johnson 2000). It is threatened by increased tourist development and urbanization (Johnson and Eldridge 2008). It is additionally threatened by toxoplasmosis and consumption of introduced toxic plants (Nolan and Johnson 2000). There are also problems of hybridization with Petrogale inornata.

Major Threat(s):

It appears to have declined mainly as a result of loss of habitat, and the proximity of the species to settled areas leading to mortality from predation by domestic dogs and road kills (Nolan and Johnson 2000). It is threatened by increased tourist development and urbanization (Johnson and Eldridge 2008). It is additionally threatened by toxoplasmosis and consumption of introduced toxic plants (Nolan and Johnson 2000). There are also problems of hybridization with Petrogale inornata.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Proserpine Rock Wallaby is present in four protected areas, the Conway National Park, Dryander National Park, Gloucester Island National Park, and Proserpine State Forest on the Clarke Range (B. Nolan pers. comm.). It is listed as a threatened species under Australian law. One Translocated/introduced population has also been established on Hayman Island from captive bred stock with additions required to this population from captive bred stock over the next 4 years (B. Nolan pers. comm.). Studies of reproduction and aging of pouch young have also been completed for this species in captivity (B. Nolan pers. comm.). A recovery plan is in place (Nolan and Johnson 2000). Recommendations from the recovery plan include: monitor existing colonies, search for new colonies, and continue mapping the habitat; establish other colonies in suitable places from captive bred animals; minimize disease and incidental kills; and increase community awareness and involvement recovery.

Conservation Actions:

Proserpine Rock Wallaby is present in four protected areas, the Conway National Park, Dryander National Park, Gloucester Island National Park, and Proserpine State Forest on the Clarke Range (B. Nolan pers. comm.). It is listed as a threatened species under Australian law.

One Translocated/introduced population has also been established on Hayman Island from captive bred stock with additions required to this population from captive bred stock over the next 4 years (B. Nolan pers. comm.). Studies of reproduction and aging of pouch young have also been completed for this species in captivity (B. Nolan pers. comm.).

A recovery plan is in place (Nolan and Johnson 2000). Recommendations from the recovery plan include: monitor existing colonies, search for new colonies, and continue mapping the habitat; establish other colonies in suitable places from captive bred animals; minimize disease and incidental kills; and increase community awareness and involvement recovery.

Citation:	Burnett, S. & Winter, J. 2008. Petrogale persephone. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 20 May 2013.
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