Nail-tail wallaby explained

The nail-tail wallabies, of genus Onychogalea, are three species of macropods, all found in Australia. Related to kangaroos and wallabies, they are smaller species distinguished by a horny spur at the end of their tail. The northern nail-tail wallaby is still common in the northern part of Australia,^[1] the crescent nail-tail is now extinct,^[2] and the bridled nail-tail is considered rare and endangered, with probably fewer than 1100 mature individuals in the wild.^[3] Nail-tail wallabies are smaller than many other wallabies.^[4]

Taxonomy

There are three recognised species of the genus Onychogalea, the nail-tailed wallabies, they are:

• Onychogalea fraenata, the bridled nailtail, whose range and population has greatly declined since colonisation;
• Onychogalea lunata, the crescent nailtail, warong, once abundant and widespread across the southwest and centre, the smallest species entered a rapid decline and became extinct;
• Onychogalea unguifera the northern species, still extant in the Kimberley and Top End regions.

Description

A genus of Macropodidae, small and herbivorous species with a shy disposition. The earliest descriptions noted their elegant shape, graceful movements and beautiful markings.^[5] Named for one of their general characteristics, the nail-tailed wallaby has a horny point two or three millimetres wide at the tip of the tail, an almost unknown characteristic for a mammal that has been compared to the bony spur of a lion's tail.^[6]

External links

• Web site: Onychogalea Gray, 1841 . Atlas of Living Australia .

Notes and References

1. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources "Onychogalea unguifera", The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2008
2. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources "Onychogalea lunata", The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2008
3. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources "Onychogalea fraenata", The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2008
4. Book: Menkhorst, Peter. A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Oxford University Press. 2001. 124.
5. Book: Gould . J. . John Gould . The mammals of Australia . 1 . 1863 . Introduction . xxi .
6. Book: Thomas . O. . Oldfield Thomas . Catalogue of the Marsupialia and Monotremata in the collection of the British Museum (Natural History). . 1888 . London . 77 .