Petrogale burbidgei, Kitchener & Sanson, 1978

Russell A. Mittermeier & Don E. Wilson, 2015, Macropodidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 5 Monotremes and Marsupials, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 630-735 : 710

29.

Monjon

Petrogale burbidgei

French: Wallaby de Burbidge / German: Kimberley-Felskdnguru / Spanish: Ualabi rupestre de Burbridge

Other common names: Burbridge's Rock Wallaby

Taxonomy. Petrogale burbidgei Kitchener & Sanson, 1978 ,

“ Crystal Creek , Mitchell Plateau , Western Australia (14°30°007S, 125°47°207E).”

A member of the brachyotis species group which also includes P. wilkinsi , P. burbidgei , and P. concinna . Recent molecular studies suggest that populations north and south of the Prince Regent River are highly divergent and may not be monophyletic; further study required. Monotypic.

Distribution. Coastal NW Kimberley from Mitchell Plateau to Charnley River, Western Australia; also Bonaparte Archipelago (Bigge I, Katers I), and Boongaree I.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 30.6-35.3 cm, tail 26.4-29 cm; weight 0.9-1.4 kg. A very small, finely built, short-eared rock wallaby. Mottled dorsally, blackish brown, orange-brown and pale cream; hairs have dark gray/brown roots, an orange/brown band below a pale cream band, and then blackish tips. Paler ventrally, light gray to yellowish white, underfur dark gray. Orange to rufous on face, especially around eyes, although snout, crown, and ears grayish. Dark mid-dorsal stripe and mid-face, and pale stripe between snout and ears sometimes present. Indistinct dark axillary patch, sometimes with faint pale marking immediately behind, flanks paler than back and more gray; an indistinct pale hip stripe is sometimes present. Shoulders and upper limbs can be rufous-tinged, although paws and feet gray. Tail similar in color to body or paler, with well-developed terminal tuft, which may be dark or light brown; at rest and when hopping, tail frequently curled up and held off substrate. Diploid chromosome numberis 16.

Habitat. Highly fractured sandstone ranges supporting savanna woodland, vine thickets, and monsoon rainforest in high rainfall (1200-1400 mm) areas.

Food and Feeding. There is no specific information available for this species, but its diet is likely to include grass and browse.

Breeding. Poorly known. Females produce a single young and appear to breed continuously.

Activity patterns. Nocturnal in summer, crepuscular or partially diurnal in other months. Shelters during day in caves, crevices, and cracks, among rocks, or within boulder piles. Emerges in late afternoon or early evening to feed in surrounding woodland and vine thickets.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Poorly known. Has been observed up to 40 m from rocky outcrops.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Near Threatened on The IUCN Red List. The Monjon is one of the most poorly known and leaststudied Australian macropodids. As well as inhabiting a rugged and remote region,it is difficult to distinguish in the field from sympatric Nabarlek ( FP. concinna ) and juvenile Short-eared Rock Wallaby ( P. brachyotis ). While available data suggest thatit is relatively common within its restricted distribution, it may be threatened by altered fire regimes and domestic/feral cat (Felis catus) predation. It occurs in several protected areas and a recovery plan has been prepared. No Monjons are held in captivity. Research on distribution, taxonomy, abundance, general ecology, and impact of potential threats is required.

Bibliography. Burbidge, McKenzie & Start (2008), Kitchener & Sanson (1978), Menkhorst & Knight (2001), Pearson (2012), Pearson & Kinnear (1997), Pearson et al. (2008), Potter, Close et al. (2014), Potter, Cooperetal. (2012), Sharman et al. (1989), Woinarskiet al. (2014ai).

Figures

On following pages: 29. Monjon (Petrogale burbidgel); 30. Proserpine Rock Wallaby (Petrogale persephone); 31. Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby (Petrogale xanthopus); 32. Rothschilds Rock Wallaby (Petrogale rothschild); 33. Black- footed Rock Wallaby (Petrogale lateralis).

Distribution. Coastal NW Kimberley from Mitchell Plateau to Charnley River, Western Australia; also Bonaparte Archipelago (Bigge I, Katers I), and Boongaree I.