The Lakeland Downs Mouse Leggadina lakedownensis is one of two species of short-tailed mice endemic to Australia. In Queensland there have been only very few recent sightings, and the species was thought to be restricted to parts of northern Cape York Peninsula. Five new localities are reported, including range extensions to central Queensland. Habitat for the species varies from chenopod to spinifex grasslands, Melaleuca woodlands and open savanna Eucalyptus woodlands, ranging from tropical coastal esplanades to sub-tropical rangelands. Trap localities encompass altitude from sea level to over 1000 m, and annual rainfall from 600-1800 mm, but are unified by a dense ground cover and waterlogging red or white sandy clays. Some potential threats to these rodent's populations are postulated including loss of ground cover and clearing of habitat in coastal regions. Despite contentions of a plaguing species, this rodent was rarely encountered in areas extensive sampled within its range. Notwithstanding the spate of localities reported here, we caution against the presumption of that L. lakedownensis may not be of conservation concern, and suggest knowledge regarding the biology of this species is still deficient.
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Research-Article|
March 17 2014
Distribution, habitat and conservation status of Leggadina lakedownensis (Rodentia: Muridae) in Queensland
Australian Zoologist (2005) 33 (2): 258–264.
Citation
A.S. Kutt, J.E. Kemp; Distribution, habitat and conservation status of Leggadina lakedownensis (Rodentia: Muridae) in Queensland. Australian Zoologist 1 December 2005; 33 (2): 258–264. doi: https://doi.org/10.7882/AZ.2005.023
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