Post by Infinity Blade on Apr 23, 2015 4:39:38 GMT 5
Pig-footed bandicoot-Chaeropus escaudatus
A mounted specimen.
Temporal range: Holocene
Scientific classification:
Domain: Eukaryota
(unranked): Unikonta
(unranked): Opisthokonta
(unranked): Holozoa
(unranked): Filozoa
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subkingdom: Eumetazoa
(unranked): Bilateria
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Clade: Eugnathostomata
Clade: Teleostomi
Superclass: Tetrapoda
Clade: Reptiliomorpha
Clade: Amniota
Clade: Synapsida
Clade: Eupelycosauria
Clade: Sphenacodontia
Clade: Sphenacodontoidea
Order: Therapsida
Suborder: Cynodontia
Clade: Prozostrodontia
Clade: Mammaliaformes
Class: Mammalia
Legion: Cladotheria
Sublegion: Zatheria
Infralegion: Tribosphenida
Subclass: Theria
Clade: Metatheria
Infraclass: Marsupialia
Superorder: Australidelphia
Order: Peramelemorphia
Family: †Chaeropodidae
Genus: †Chaeropus
Species: †C. ecaudatus
The pig-footed bandicoot (Chaeropus ecaudatus) was a species of bandicoot that lived in Australia, particularly in central & south Australia and Victoria.[1]
These animals dwelled in sand dunes in central Australia, grassy plains in Australia, and open woodland in other areas.[1]
C. ecaudatus was ~230-260 millimeters in total body length with the tail (having a black tuft at the distal-most end of the tail) being ~100-150 millimeters long. The dorsal surface of the bandicoot was covered in rough orange-brown fur while the ventral surface was lighter in color. Its overall body possessed a narrow and compact shape. The distal segments of the limbs were particularly gracile with the manus having two hoof-esque unguals, just like a pig (hence the name). Pedal digits II and III were fused and the only digit used for locomotion was the fourth. The heads were pointed and the ears were leporid-like.[1]
C. ecaudatus was probably solitary. Grass nests or short tunnels with nests at the end would have been created by the species in an appropriate environment. The bandicoot had an excellent sense of smell that was utilized in finding sustenance. In locomotion, C. ecaudatus' slow gait was like that of a bunny hop, the intermediate gait was a "lumbering quadrepedal [sic] run with the hind limbs moving alternately", and finally, according to the Aboriginal Australians, the pig-footed bandicoot could go into a smooth, galloping sprint at very high speeds if pressed.[1]
Judging from evidence (in the form of accounts and analyses of physical attributes of the animal; eg. gut contents, dentition, and gut structure), the pig-footed bandicoot was the most herbivorous of the bandicoots. Notwithstanding the fact that captive animals had no issue consuming meat and Aboriginal accounts of the consumption of insects, plant matter constituted the majority of its diet. Captive animals likewise drank substantial amounts of water.[2]
Based off other bandicoots, the pig-footed bandicoot bore no more than four individual offspring per littler.[1]
According to the Aboriginal Australians, it was rare even prior to European settlement on Australia.[3] In 1901, the last known specimen was collected. Once again in accordance to the Aboriginals, there were populations that persisted into the 1950s, but that's the latest indication of survival. The question of what caused the extinction of the pig-footed bandicoot apparently is rather problematic. However, the species underwent a swift decline in population following European settlement. The introduction of cats could plausibly have played a role along with pestilence and habitat loss/destruction caused by introduced sheep.[4]
The skull of the pig-footed bandicoot in lateral view.
Ventral view of the upper skull and dorsal view of the lower jaw.
Dorsal view of the upper skull and ventral view of the lower jaw.
References:
[1] javanio.info/bandicoot.html
[2] Tim Flannery & Peter Schouten (2001). A gap in nature.
[3] Francis Harper (1945). Extinct and Vanishing Mammals of the Old World.
[4] www.iucnredlist.org/details/4322/0
A mounted specimen.
Temporal range: Holocene
Scientific classification:
Domain: Eukaryota
(unranked): Unikonta
(unranked): Opisthokonta
(unranked): Holozoa
(unranked): Filozoa
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subkingdom: Eumetazoa
(unranked): Bilateria
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Clade: Eugnathostomata
Clade: Teleostomi
Superclass: Tetrapoda
Clade: Reptiliomorpha
Clade: Amniota
Clade: Synapsida
Clade: Eupelycosauria
Clade: Sphenacodontia
Clade: Sphenacodontoidea
Order: Therapsida
Suborder: Cynodontia
Clade: Prozostrodontia
Clade: Mammaliaformes
Class: Mammalia
Legion: Cladotheria
Sublegion: Zatheria
Infralegion: Tribosphenida
Subclass: Theria
Clade: Metatheria
Infraclass: Marsupialia
Superorder: Australidelphia
Order: Peramelemorphia
Family: †Chaeropodidae
Genus: †Chaeropus
Species: †C. ecaudatus
The pig-footed bandicoot (Chaeropus ecaudatus) was a species of bandicoot that lived in Australia, particularly in central & south Australia and Victoria.[1]
These animals dwelled in sand dunes in central Australia, grassy plains in Australia, and open woodland in other areas.[1]
C. ecaudatus was ~230-260 millimeters in total body length with the tail (having a black tuft at the distal-most end of the tail) being ~100-150 millimeters long. The dorsal surface of the bandicoot was covered in rough orange-brown fur while the ventral surface was lighter in color. Its overall body possessed a narrow and compact shape. The distal segments of the limbs were particularly gracile with the manus having two hoof-esque unguals, just like a pig (hence the name). Pedal digits II and III were fused and the only digit used for locomotion was the fourth. The heads were pointed and the ears were leporid-like.[1]
C. ecaudatus was probably solitary. Grass nests or short tunnels with nests at the end would have been created by the species in an appropriate environment. The bandicoot had an excellent sense of smell that was utilized in finding sustenance. In locomotion, C. ecaudatus' slow gait was like that of a bunny hop, the intermediate gait was a "lumbering quadrepedal [sic] run with the hind limbs moving alternately", and finally, according to the Aboriginal Australians, the pig-footed bandicoot could go into a smooth, galloping sprint at very high speeds if pressed.[1]
Judging from evidence (in the form of accounts and analyses of physical attributes of the animal; eg. gut contents, dentition, and gut structure), the pig-footed bandicoot was the most herbivorous of the bandicoots. Notwithstanding the fact that captive animals had no issue consuming meat and Aboriginal accounts of the consumption of insects, plant matter constituted the majority of its diet. Captive animals likewise drank substantial amounts of water.[2]
Based off other bandicoots, the pig-footed bandicoot bore no more than four individual offspring per littler.[1]
According to the Aboriginal Australians, it was rare even prior to European settlement on Australia.[3] In 1901, the last known specimen was collected. Once again in accordance to the Aboriginals, there were populations that persisted into the 1950s, but that's the latest indication of survival. The question of what caused the extinction of the pig-footed bandicoot apparently is rather problematic. However, the species underwent a swift decline in population following European settlement. The introduction of cats could plausibly have played a role along with pestilence and habitat loss/destruction caused by introduced sheep.[4]
The skull of the pig-footed bandicoot in lateral view.
Ventral view of the upper skull and dorsal view of the lower jaw.
Dorsal view of the upper skull and ventral view of the lower jaw.
References:
[1] javanio.info/bandicoot.html
[2] Tim Flannery & Peter Schouten (2001). A gap in nature.
[3] Francis Harper (1945). Extinct and Vanishing Mammals of the Old World.
[4] www.iucnredlist.org/details/4322/0
