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| Planigale tealei Aplin, Cooper, Travouillon & Umbrello, in Umbrello, Cooper, Adams, Travouillon, Baker, Westerman & Aplin, 2023. |
Abstract
Many of Australia’s smaller marsupial species have been taxonomically described in just the past 50 years, and the Dasyuridae, a speciose family of carnivores, is known to harbour many cryptic taxa. Evidence from molecular studies is being increasingly utilised to help revise species boundaries and focus taxonomic efforts, and research over the past two decades has identified several undescribed genetic lineages within the dasyurid genus Planigale. Here, we describe two new species, Planigale kendricki sp. nov. (formerly known as ‘Planigale 1’) and P. tealei sp. nov. (formerly known as ‘Planigale sp. Mt Tom Price’). The two new species have broadly overlapping distributions in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The new species are genetically distinct from each other and from all other members of the genus, at both mitochondrial and nuclear loci, and morphologically, in both external and craniodental characters. The new species are found in regional sympatry within the Pilbara but occupy different habitat types at local scales. This work makes a start at resolving the cryptic diversity within Planigale at a time when small mammals are continuing to decline throughout Australia.
Key words. Arid species, diversity, Endemism, dasyuromorphia, Systematics, taxonomy
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| Planigale kendricki sp. nov. Note the rufous, orange-tan colouration of the fur and the orange eye ring. courtesy of R. Teale. |
Planigale kendricki Aplin, Cooper, Travouillon & Umbrello sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Planigale kendricki (Fig. 10) is more rufous than all other members of the genus except perhaps some individuals of P. ingrami. It is substantially larger than each of P. ingrami, P. tenuirostris and P. sp. Mt tom Price, and smaller than P. novaeguineae and P. gilesi. It is most similar in body size to some populations of P. maculata but differs from all populations of this taxon in its brighter dorsal and facial patterning. Craniodentally, it differs from all other Planigale species except P. tenuirostris in having more elongate nasals that invade deeply between the frontals. It further differs from typical P. maculata, and P. novaeguineae in having a more depressed cranium, a longer and narrower snout, and larger entoconids on M1–3. It further differs from P. gilesi in having three upper premolars (reduced to two in P. gilesi). It also differs from P. tenuirostris in having less reduced M1–4protocones and less reduced entoconids on M1–3 (usually absent on M1–2 in P. tenuirostris).
Etymology. Named in honour of Dr Peter Kendrick, in recognition of his major contribution to the understanding of the vertebrate fauna of north-western Australia.
Comments. We recommend the following common name be used in association with P. kendricki sp. nov.: Orange-headed Pilbara planigale.
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| Planigale tealei sp. nov. (WAM M62896) photographed by L. Umbrello. |
Planigale tealei Aplin, Cooper, Travouillon & Umbrello sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Planigale tealei is considerably smaller in all external and cranial dimensions than each of P. kendricki, P. maculata, P. novaeguineae and P. gilesi. It further differs from each of these taxa in having a more depressed cranium and differs from P. gilesi in retaining upper and lower third premolars. It is slightly smaller than P. tenuirostris and further differs from this species in having a considerably more depressed cranium with a shorter rostrum. It is most similar in size and craniodental morphology to P. ingrami, but it differs from this taxon in having a longer snout and proportionally larger pes, and in lacking a distinct eye ring. the cranium differs from that of all named forms of P. ingrami in having a broadly rounded rather than square posterior nasal suture, a broader interorbital region, more rounded and elongate alisphenoid tympanic process that makes broad contact with the rostral tympanic process of the petrosal, a less flattened occiput and proportionally larger premolars.
Etymology. Named in honour of Roy Teale, who has supported the work of the western Australian Museum over many decades and collected many of the specimens used in this study.
Comments. we recommend the following common name be used in association with P. tealei sp. nov.: Cracking-clay Pilbara planigale.
Linette S. Umbrello, Norah K. Cooper, Mark Adams, Kenny J. Travouillon, Andrew M. Baker, Mike Westerman and Ken P. Aplin. 2023. Hiding in Plain Sight: Two New Species of diminutive Marsupial (Dasyuridae: Planigale) from the Pilbara, Australia. Zootaxa. 5330(1); 1-46. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5330.1.1
