Common wallaroo
| Wallaroo[1] | |
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| Species: | M. robustus
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| Binomial name | |
| Macropus robustus Gould, 1841
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| Eastern Wallaroo range | |
The Eastern Wallaroo (Macropus robustus), also known as the Common Wallaroo, the Hill Wallaroo or the Euro, is a large, variable species of macropod (same as the Kangaroo) found throughout much of the Australian mainland. It is one of the largest macropods and its appearance is highly variable.[3]
The Eastern Wallaroo is mostly nocturnal and solitary, and is one of the more common macropods. It makes a loud hissing noise and some subspecies are sexually dimorphic, like most wallaroos.[3]
There are four subspecies:[1]
- M. r. robustus - Found in eastern Australia, males of this subspecies have dark fur, almost resembling Woodward's Wallaroo (Macropus bernardus). Females are lighter, being almost sandy in colour.[3]
- M. r. erubescens - Found on covering most of its remaining range, this subspecies is variable, but mostly brownish in colour.[3]
- M. r. isabellinus - This subspecies is restricted to Barrow Island in Western Australia, and is comparatively small. It is uniformly reddish brown.[3]
- M. r. woodwardi - This subspecies is found in the Kimberley region of Western Australia and in a band running through Northern Territory. It is the palest subspecies and is a dull brown-grey colour.[3]
The Eastern Wallaroo as a species is not considered to be threatened, but the Barrow Island subspecies (M. r. isabellinus) is classified as vulnerable.[2]
References
- ^ a b Groves, C. P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 65. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. OCLC 62265494.
- ^ a b Template:IUCN2008 Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
- ^ a b c d e f Menkhorst, Peter (2001). A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Oxford University Press. p. 118.
External links
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