Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Any of a group of marsupials, of the genus Antechinus, similar to shrews

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Sandstone associated species with isolated populations in the Gulf Fall include the sandstone antechinus (Pseudantechinus bilarni).

    Carpentaria tropical savanna 2008

  • The last two of the endemics, namely Thornton Peak rat Melomys hadrourus and Atherton antechinus Antechinus godmani, have very restricted distributions which have been used as the basis for defining two centers of endemism for flightless mammals.

    Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Site, Australia 2008

  • Other than the mountain pygmy possum, only four other small mammals are known to inhabit the alpine and subalpine areas of the Alps: the broad-toothed rat (Mastacomys fuscus), the bush rat (Rattus fuscipes), the dusky antechinus (Antechinus swainsonii), and the agile antechinus (A. agilis).

    Australian Alps montane grasslands 2008

  • This extreme environment is inhabited by only nine mammals, consisting of four murid rodents, two microchiropteran bats, and three marsupials: a tree kangaroo, a cuscus, and an antechinus.

    Central Range sub-alpine grasslands 2007

  • In addition, there has been marked reduction in the range of the Carpentarian antechinus (Pseudantechinus mimulus VU) and brush-tailed possum (Trichosurus vulpecula).

    Mitchell grass downs 2007

  • A number of other species are largely restricted to the mesic southwest and found in this ecoregion: the yellow-footed antechinus (Antechinus flavipes leucogaster), southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus), and the woylie (Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi).

    Jarrah-Karri forest and shrublands 2007

  • The mainland subspecies of swamp antechinus (Antechinus minimus maritimus) and white footed dunnart (Sminthopsis leucopus) are largely restricted to coastal regions, while other species, such as the koala, are widespread throughout this ecoregion and excluded from the Central Highlands because of the cold winters.

    Southeast Australia temperate forests 2007

  • Among the mammals, the smoky mouse (Pseudomys fumeus VU) is largely restricted to this ecoregion while the agile antechinus (Antechinus agilis) is near-endemic.

    Southeast Australia temperate forests 2007

  • While the thylacine, the devil, and the eastern quoll had been lost altogether, two minuscule species the white-footed dunnart and the swamp antechinus, a couple of mousy carnivorous marsupials did maintain populations on some of the tiny islands.

    The Song of The Dodo David Quammen 2004

  • While the thylacine, the devil, and the eastern quoll had been lost altogether, two minuscule species the white-footed dunnart and the swamp antechinus, a couple of mousy carnivorous marsupials did maintain populations on some of the tiny islands.

    The Song of The Dodo David Quammen 2004

Comments

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  • Cute marsupial mouse.

    November 22, 2007

  • I see that the antechinus carries enthusiasm to an extreme:

    The black-tailed antechinus, found at high altitudes in the wet areas of southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales, partakes in marathon mating sessions that can last up to 14 hours, with each marsupial cavorting with several partners during that time.
    Unfortunately for the male black-tailed antechinus, these feverish marsupial orgies often prove fatal. All that exertion raises their stress hormone levels dramatically, eventually causing the males’ systems to shut down….

    He seems less a likely participant in a happy bunny rumble than a sex fiend, but then it is Australia:

    In the great reproductive scramble
    Antechinus is ready to ramble,
    But this little shrew's
    Long night of screws
    Is distinctly a dangerous gambol.

    For context see live baiting.

    February 18, 2015