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CAVS: 1481

Species Notomys alexis Thomas, 1922

Spinifex Hopping-mouse

Introduction

Mahoney (1988: 166) listed synonyms, rather than subspecies.

 

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia


Note that conversion of the original AFD map of states, drainage basins and coastal and oceanic zones to IBRA and IMCRA regions may have produced errors. The new maps will be reviewed and corrected as updates occur. The maps may not indicate the entire distribution. See further details below.
IBRA and IMCRA regions (map not available)
drainage basins and coastal and oceanic zones (map not available)

IBRA

NT, Qld, SA, WA: Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Burt Plain (BRT), Carnarvon (CAR), Channel Country (CHC), Coolgardie (COO), Central Ranges (CR), Dampierland (DL), Davenport Murchison Ranges (DMR), Esperance Plains (ESP), Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Finke (FIN), Gascoyne (GAS), Gawler (GAW), Gibson Desert (GD), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Great Sandy Desert (GSD), Great Victoria Desert (GVD), Hampton (HAM), Jarrah Forest (JF), Little Sandy Desert (LSD), MacDonnell Ranges (MAC), Mallee (MAL), Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD), Mount Isa Inlier (MII), Murchison (MUR), Nullarbor (NUL), Pilbara (PIL), Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields (SSD), Stony Plains (STP), Sturt Plateau (STU), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Tanami (TAN), Warren (WAR), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

  • Australia
    • Northern Territory: Lake Eyre basin, W plateau
    • Queensland: Lake Eyre basin
    • South Australia: Lake Eyre basin, W plateau
    • Western Australia: NW coastal, SW coastal, W plateau

Ecological Descriptors

Burrower, desert sand dunes, granivore, low woodland, omnivore, predator, sand plain desert, terrestrial, tussock grassland.

Extra Ecological Information

Diet includes invertebrates.

 

General References

Baudinette, R.V., Nagle, K.A. & Scott, R.A.D. 1976. Locomotory energetics in a marsupial (Antechinomys spenceri) and a rodent (Notomys alexis). Experientia (Basel) 32: 583-585

Baverstock, P.R., Watts, C.H.S., Adams, M. & Cole, S.R. 1981. Genetical relationships among Australian rodents (Muridae). Australian Journal of Zoology 29: 289-303

Baverstock, P.R., Watts, C.H.S. & Hogarth, J.T. 1977. Chromosome evolution in Australian rodents I. The Pseudomyinae, the Hydromyinae and the Uromys/Melomys Group. Chromosoma (Berlin) 61: 95-125

Breed, W.B. 1992. Breeding systems of spinifex hopping mice (Notomys alexis) and plains rats (Pseudomys australis): a test for multiple paternity within the laboratory. Australian Journal of Zoology 40: 13-20

Breed, W.B. 1992. Reproduction of the spinifex hopping mouse (Notomys alexis) in the natural environment. Australian Journal of Zoology 40: 57-71

Breed, W.G. 1980. Further observations on spermatozoal morphology and male reproductive tract anatomy of Pseudomys and Notomys species (Mammalia: Rodentia). Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 104: 51-55

Breed, W.G. 1981. Early embryonic development and ovarian activity during concurrent pregnancy and lactation in the hopping-mouse Notomys alexis. Australian Journal of Zoology 29: 589-604

Breed, W.G. 1983. Sexual dimorphism in the Australian hopping mouse, Notomys alexis. Journal of Mammalogy 64: 536-539

Breed, W.G. 1990. Copulatory behaviour and coagulum formation in the female reproductive tract of the Australian hopping mouse, Notomys alexis. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 88: 17-24

Breed, W.G. 1995. Spinifex Hopping-mouse Notomys alexis. pp. 568-570 in Strahan, R. (ed.). The Mammals of Australia: The National Photographic Index of Australian Wildlife. Sydney : Reed New Holland 756 pp.

Breed, W.G. 1997. Interspecific variation of testis size and epididymal sperm numbers in Australasian rodents with special reference to the genus Notomys. Australian Journal of Zoology 45: 651-669

Breed, W.G. & Safaris, V. 1983. Variation in sperm head morphology in the Australian rodent Notomys alexis. Australian Journal of Zoology 31: 313-316

Breed, W.G. & Washington, J.M. 1991. Mating behaviour and insemination in the hopping mouse (Notomys alexis). Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 93: 187-194

Breed, W.J. & Sarafis, V. 1979. On the phylogenetic significance of spermatozoal morphology and male reproductive tract anatomy in Australian rodents. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 103: 127-135

Dewsbury, D.A. & Hodges, A.W. 1987. Copulatory behaviour and related phenomena in spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus) and hopping mice (Notomys alexis). Journal of Mammalogy 68: 49-57

Dickman, C.R., Mahon, P.S., Masters, P. & Gibson, D.F. 1999. Long-term dynamics of rodent populations in arid Australia: the influence of rainfall. Wildlife Research 26: 389-403

Lee, A.K., Fleming, M.R. & Happold, M. 1984. Microclimate, water economy and energetics of a desert rodent, Notomys alexis. pp. 315-326 in Cogger, H.G. & Cameron, E.E. (eds). Arid Australia. Sydney : Australian Museum 338 pp.

MacMillen, R.E. & Lee, A.K. 1970. Energy metabolism and pulmocutaneous water loss of Australian hopping mice. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 35: 355-369

Mahoney, J.A. in Walton, D.W. (ed.) 1988. Zoological Catalogue of Australia Volume 5. Mammalia. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service x 274 pp. [Date published 13/Apr/1988] [166]

Masters, P. 1993. The effects of fire-driven succession and rainfall on small mammals in spinifex grassland at Uluru National Park, Northern Territory. Wildlife Research 20: 803-813

Morrissey, B.L. & Breed, W.G. 1982. Variation in external morphology of the glans penis of Australian native rodents. Australian Journal of Zoology 30: 495-502

Murray, B.R., Dickman, C.R., Watts, C.H.S. & Morton, S.R. 1999. The dietary ecology of Australian desert rodents. Wildlife Research 26: 421-437

Murray, B.R., Hume, I.D. & Dickman, C.R. 1995. Digestive tract characteristics of the spinifex hopping-mouse, Notomys alexis and the sandy inland mouse, Pseudomys hermannsburgensis in relation to diet. Australian Mammalogy 18: 93-98

Murray, B.R. & Dickman, C.R. 1994. Granivory and microhabitat use in Australian desert rodents - are seeds important. Oecologia (Berlin) 99: 216-225

Murray, B.R. & Dickman, C.R. 1997. Factors affecting selection of native seeds in two species of Australian desert rodents. Journal of Arid Environments 35: 517-525

Pierce, E.J. & Breed, W.G. 1987. Cytological organisation of the seminiferous epithelium in the Australian rodents Pseudomys australis and Notomys alexis. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 80: 91-103

Pierce, E.J. & Breed, W.G. 1989. Light microscopical structure of the excurrent ducts and distribution of spermatozoa in the Australian rodents Pseudomys australis and Notomys alexis. Journal of Anatomy 162: 195-214

Predavec, M. 1994. Population dynamics and environmental changes during natural irruptions of Australian desert rodents. Wildlife Research 21: 569-582

Southgate, R. & Masters, P. 1996. Fluctuations of rodent populations in response to rainfall and fire in a central Australian hummock grassland dominated by Plectrachne schinzii. Wildlife Research 23: 289-303

Stanley, M. 1971. An ethogram of the hopping mouse, Notomys alexis. Zeitschrift für Tierpsychologie 29: 225-258 (behaviour)

Watts, C.H.S. 1982. Australian hydromyine rodents: maintenance of captive colonies. pp. 180-184 in Evans, D.D. (ed.). The Management of Australian Mammals in Captivity. Proceedings of the Scientific Meeting of the Australian Mammal Society, Healesville, Victoria, February 1979. Melbourne : Zoological Board of Victoria 194 pp.

Watts, C.H.S. & Aslin, H.J. 1981. The Rodents of Australia. Sydney : Angus & Robertson xii 321 pp. 16 pls.

Withers, P.C., Lee, A.K. & Martin, R.W. 1979. Metabolism, respiration and evaporative water loss in the Australian hopping-mouse Notomys alexis (Rodentia: Muridae). Australian Journal of Zoology 27: 195-204

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
04-Feb-2023 10-Dec-2010 MOVED
10-Dec-2010 08-Dec-2010 MODIFIED
12-Feb-2010 (import)