Family THYLACOMYIDAE
Compiler and date details
October 2010 - Updated by Stephen M. Jackson, c/- Queensland Museum, Brisbane, following Van Dyck and Strahan (2008)
31 December 1998 - J.A. Mahoney & W.D.L. Ride (1988); updated by Barry J. Richardson (1999), Centre for Biostructural and Biomolecular Research, University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury, NSW, Australia
Introduction
Bilbies are confined to continental Australia. There are only two extant species. Hind limbs are longer than forelimbs and are syndactylous, the second and third digits being conjoined. There are five digits on the manus and four toes on the pes. The ears are large and prominent. The tail is long and well haired with a prominent dorsal crest of hair and a small spur-like naked tip. The rostrum of the skull is abruptly constricted. Bilbies burrow and are solitary, but burrows may be congregated. The marsupium is well developed and opens postero-ventrally.
Thylacomyidae are nocturnal, terrestrial and carnivorous. The diet consists largely of insects, but small vertebrates and some vegetable matter may be ingested. Of the two extant species, one is endangered and the status of the other is unknown.
General References
Johnson, K.A. 1989. Thylacomyidae. pp. 625-635 in Walton, D.W. & Richardson, B.J. (eds). Fauna of Australia. Mammalia. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 1B 827 pp. [publication date established from Duncan, F.M. 1937. On the dates of publication of the Society's 'Proceedings', 1859–1926. With an appendix containing the dates of publication of 'Proceedings', 1830–1858, compiled by the late F.H. Waterhouse, and of the 'Transactions', 1853–1869, by the late Henry Peavot, originally published in P.Z.S. 1893, 1913. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 107: 71–84]
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05-Nov-2010 | 05-Nov-2010 | MODIFIED | ||
| 12-Feb-2010 | (import) |