Goodfellow's tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus goodfellowi), also called the ornate tree-kangaroo, is an endangered, long-tailed mammal native to rainforests of New Guinea. Like most tree-kangaroos (genus Dendrolagus), it lives in the treetops and feeds on leaves or other plant matter. It belongs to the macropod family (Macropodidae) along with kangaroos, and carries its young in a pouch like other marsupials. Its main threats are habitat loss and hunting.[4] There are two subspecies: D. g. goodfellowi and D. g. buergersi (known as Buergers' tree-kangaroo).
| Goodfellow's tree-kangaroo[1] | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Infraclass: | Marsupialia |
| Order: | Diprotodontia |
| Family: | Macropodidae |
| Genus: | Dendrolagus |
| Species: | D. goodfellowi
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| Binomial name | |
| Dendrolagus goodfellowi | |
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| Goodfellow's tree-kangaroo range | |
Name and taxonomy
editThe species name goodfellowi is in honour of British zoological collector Walter Goodfellow.[5]
There are two subspecies of the Goodfellow's tree-kangaroo:[1]
- Dendrolagus goodfellowi goodfellowi
- Dendrolagus goodfellowi buergersi – Buergers' tree-kangaroo
Description
editLike other tree-kangaroos, Goodfellow's tree-kangaroo is quite different in appearance from terrestrial kangaroos. Unlike its land dwelling cousins, its legs are not disproportionately large in comparison to the forelimbs, which are strong and end in hooked claws for grasping tree limbs, and it has a long tail for balance. All of these features help the species with a predominantly arboreal existence. It has short, woolly fur,[6] usually chestnut to red-brown in colour, a grey-brown face, yellow-coloured cheeks and feet; a pale belly,[7] a long, golden brown tail, and two golden stripes on its rear.[8] It weighs approximately 7 kg (15 lb).[9]
Habitat
editGoodfellow's tree-kangaroo lives in dense tropical rainforests and deciduous forests over mountain ranges, ranging from the border of central Irian Jaya in Indonesia to central and eastern Papua New Guinea.[10]
Behaviour
editGoodfellow's tree-kangaroos are slow and clumsy on the ground, moving at about walking pace and hopping awkwardly, leaning their bodies far forward to balance the heavy tail. However, in trees they are bold and agile. They climb by wrapping the forelimbs around the trunk of a tree and hopping with the powerful hind legs, allowing their forelimbs to slide. They have extraordinary jumping ability and have been known to jump to the ground from heights of 9 metres (30 ft) without harm.[8]
Diet
editGoodfellow's tree-kangaroo is a herbivore.[10] Although they feed mainly on the leaves of the silkwood tree[11] (Flindersia pimenteliana), other food is eaten when available, including various fruits, cereals, flowers and grasses.[7] Goodfellow's tree-kangaroos have large stomachs that function as fermentation vats, similar to the stomachs of cattle and other ruminant herbivores, where bacteria break down fibrous leaves and grasses.[12]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ 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. pp. 59–60. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. OCLC 62265494.
- ^ Leary, T.; Seri, L.; Wright, D.; Hamilton, S.; Helgen, K.; Singadan, R.; Menzies, J.; Allison, A.; James, R.; Dickman, C.; Aplin, K.; Flannery, T.; Martin, R.; Salas, L. (2016). "Dendrolagus goodfellowi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T6429A21957524. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T6429A21957524.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ Thomas, Oldfield (1908). "A new Tree-Kangaroo from British New Guinea". The Annals and Magazine of Natural History. Ser. 8. 2 (11): 452–453. doi:10.1080/00222930808692512.
- ^ Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (2006). Goodfellow's Tree-kangaroo - captive breeding program. Retrieved August 3, 2006.
- ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2009-09-28). The Eponym Dictionary of Mammals. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 158–9. ISBN 978-0-8018-9304-9. OCLC 270129903.
- ^ Melbourne Zoo (2006). Animal Fact Sheet: Goodfellow's Tree-Kangaroo Archived 2006-08-19 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 3, 2006.
- ^ a b Discovery Communications Inc. (2006). Goodfellow's tree kangaroo. Retrieved August 3, 2006.
- ^ a b World Wildlife Fund (2006). Tree Kangaroos Archived 2006-09-15 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 3, 2006.
- ^ Animal Info (1999-2005). Animal Info - Goodfellow's Tree Kangaroo. Retrieved August 3, 2006.
- ^ a b "Goodfellow's Tree-Kangaroo". Australian Reptile Park. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
- ^ "Goodfellow's tree kangaroo". Funk & Wagnalls Wildlife Encyclopedia. Vol. 20. New York, N.Y.: Funk and Wagnalls. 1974. p. 2397.
- ^ Johnson, S. (1999). "Dendrolagus goodfellowi". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 2006-08-03.