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Dasyurus albopunctatus

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family
ANIMALIA CHORDATA MAMMALIA DASYUROMORPHIA DASYURIDAE

Scientific Name: Dasyurus albopunctatus
Species Authority Schlegel, 1880
Common Name/s:
English – New Guinea Quoll, New Guinean Quoll
French – Chat Marsupial De Nlle-guinĂ©e
Synonym/s:
Satanellus albopunctatus

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria: Near Threatened     ver 3.1
Year Assessed: 2008
Assessor/s Woolley, P., Leary, T., Seri, L., Flannery, T., Wright, D., Hamilton, S., Helgen, K., Singadan, R., Menzies, J., Allison, A. & James, R.
Evaluator/s: Lamoreux, J. & Hilton-Taylor, C. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)
Justification:
Listed as Near Threatened because, although widespread and locally abundant, declines have been recorded at a number of localities due to impacts of people (expanding agriculture) and hunting with dogs. There are also possible threats from feral cats and cane toads and the potential loss of the lowland habitats to oil palms. The Australian species in this genus have declined dramatically for unknown reasons; poisoning, introduced competitors, and disease have been hypothesized. Almost qualifies as threatened under criterion A2.
History:
1996 – Vulnerable (Baillie and Groombridge 1996)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description: The New Guinea Quoll is widespread throughout much of New Guinea (Indonesia and Papua New Guinea), but has a patchy distribution across its range. It has a wide elevational range (sea level to 3,600 m), most often occurring 1,000-1,300 m asl; it is absent from the south-western lowlands (Flannery 1995). It is not certain if the species occurs in the Vogelkop region of Papua, although the map is drawn to include that area. The New Guinea Quoll is also found on Yapen Island.
Countries:
Native:
Indonesia; Papua New Guinea
Range Map:
(click map to view full version)
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Population [top]

Population: This species is locally common, but declines have been recorded especially in areas where human impact has increased.
Population Trend: Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology: The New Guinea Quoll is widespread throughout tropical moist forest including areas of disturbed forest. It has been reported from rural gardens and entering villages to prey on rats. Very little is known about the biology of this species. It is, however, clear from a study of museum specimens (Woolley 1994) that breeding occurs throughout the year. The New Guinea Quoll is a top-level predator in New Guinea.
Systems: Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s): Increasing human populations, hunting by dogs, and expanding land-use may have an impact on this species (particularly the potential loss of the lowland habitats to oil palms). It is possible that it is affected by competition with introduced cats, but studies are needed for confirmation. Cane toads may also pose a threat.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions: The New Guinea Quoll has been recorded from a number of protected areas. It is not currently protected by any government legislation and deserves some attention as a key predator.
Citation: Woolley, P., Leary, T., Seri, L., Flannery, T., Wright, D., Hamilton, S., Helgen, K., Singadan, R., Menzies, J., Allison, A. & James, R. 2008. Dasyurus albopunctatus. In: IUCN 2008. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 22 November 2008.
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