Dorcopsulus vanheurni (Thomas, 1922)

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 : 695

7.

Small Forest Wallaby

Dorcopsulus vanheurni

French: Wallaby de van Heurn / German: Bergbuschkanguru / Spanish: Ualabi de bosque pequeno

Other common names: Lesser Forest Wallaby, Mountain Forest Wallaby, Small Dorcopsis, Small Dorcopsulus

Taxonomy. Dorcopsis vanheurni Thomas, 1922 ,

“ Doormanpad-bivak ” (3°30’S, 138°30°E), 1410 m, Djajawidjaja Division, West Papua, New Guinea.

Research is required to clarify relationship of D. macleayi and D. vanheurni , which are often confused in the field and in museum collections and have previously been regarded as conspecific. Although no subspecies of D. vanheurni are currently recognized, there is variation in size and pelage across its range, which requires further investigation. Monotypic.

Distribution. Central Range, N Coastal Ranges, and Huon Peninsula of New Guinea.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 34.1-40.9 cm (males) and 31.5-44.6 cm (females), tail 2640-2 cm (males) and 22.5-34.7 cm (females); weight 1.5-2 kg (males) and 1.5-2.3 kg (females). Small forest wallaby with short, rounded ears, short dense, dark fur, and naked tail tip. Dorsal fur typically dark reddish brown to deep chocolate-brown, and glossy. Some specimens lighter or more grayish, occasionally fur long and shaggy. Paler ventrally, from light grayish brown to white, and also varying in extent, with throat and lower abdomen often lighter than belly. Limbs typically same color as body, but more gray in some specimens. Tail densely furred at base, but terminal third to quarter is naked and dark. Ear tips also unfurred. Diploid chromosome numberis 18.

Habitat. Primary and secondary montane and mid-montane rainforest, and nearby cleared areas; 800-3100 m elevation.

Food and Feeding. Poorly known. Likely a browser. Reported to eat the leaves and fruits of forest trees, including Ficus (Moraceae) , Pangium (Achariaceae) , and Syzygium (Myrtaceae) . Known to eat also a diverse range of fungi (at least 16 species), including hypogeous (truffle-like) species.

Breeding. Poorly known. Females typically produce a single young and appear to breed continuously. There is one report of twins.

Activity patterns. Poorly known. Reported as diurnal and to sleep at night under a log or without cover.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Poorly known. Follows established pathways through the forest and dense vegetation.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Near Threatened on The IUCN Red List. While still common in some areas, this species has declined or become locally extinct in others owing to loss of habitat (clearing for agriculture) and hunting. It is a favored subsistence food item and can be readily killed, often in large numbers, by a variety of methods. It appears to have been extirpated from the Hunstein and Schrader Ranges, and probably also the Adelbert Range. Additional research on taxonomy, distribution, abundance, general ecology, and impact of potential threats is required.

Bibliography. Flannery (1990a, 1995a), Groves (2005b), Hayman (1989), Helgen (2007b), Hide et al. (1984), Leary, Singadan, Menzies, Helgen, Allison et al. (2008b), Lidicker & Ziegler (1968), Menzies (1991, 2011), Sanson (1989), Vernes & Lebel (2011).

Figures

On following pages: 4. Grey Forest Wallaby (Dorcopsis luctuosa); 5. Brown Forest Wallaby (Dorcopsis muelleri); 6. Macleay’s Forest Wallaby (Dorcopsulus macleayi); 7. Small Forest Wallaby (Dorcopsulus vanheurni); 8. Bridled Nail-tailed Wallaby (Onychogalea fraenata); 9. Northern Nail-tailed Wallaby (Onychogalea unguifera).

Distribution. Central Range, N Coastal Ranges, and Huon Peninsula of New Guinea.