Subtropical antechinus

The subtropical antechinus (Antechinus subtropicus) is a species of small carnivorous marsupial of the family Dasyuridae.

Subtropical antechinus[1]
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[2]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Infraclass:	Marsupialia
Order:	Dasyuromorphia
Family:	Dasyuridae
Genus:	Antechinus
Species:	A. subtropicus
Binomial name
Antechinus subtropicus Van Dyck & Crowther, 2000
Subtropical antechinus range

Taxonomy

It was previously thought to be conspecific with the brown antechinus (Antechinus stuartii).

Description

It is difficult to distinguish it from its close relatives, but its significant features include a long and narrow muzzle and a generally mid-brown colour. It is the largest of the brown antechinus complex. It mainly eats insects and after mating, all of the males die of stress-related diseases, like many other species in this family.^[3]

Distribution and habitat

The subtropical antechinus is found south from Gympie in Queensland, Australia, to the far northeast of New South Wales, where it is essentially restricted to subtropical vine forest below 1000 m elevation. A relict population is also found in Dorrigo National Park.