Biodiversity

Threatened species

Draft national recovery plan for the central rock-rat Zyzomys pedunculatus

Pavey, C. R., Nano, A., Nano, C., Cole, J., Edwards, G. 2009.
Department of Natural Resources, Environment, Arts & Sport, Northern Territory.

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Summary

This recovery plan covers the central rock-rat Zyzomys pedunculatus (Waite, in Spencer 1896) (syn. Laomys pedunculatus) which belongs to the family Muridae.

The species is classified as Endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

The central rock-rat is a relatively large rodent with a body mass of 70–120 g. Adults are stocky in appearance and have a distinctive 'Roman nose' and a thick, well-furred tail of equal length to the head-body length. The fur is yellowish-brown on the upper body and cream or white below.

The central rock-rat is the only member of its genus to be confined to the arid zone; the other four Zyzomys species are found in northern Australia. The central rock-rat is endemic to the southern region of the Northern Territory of Australia. It is currently only known from the MacDonnell Ranges IBRA region, occurring in an area of 1000 square km, between 80 and 140 km to the west of Alice Springs. Historically, the species occurred across a wider area of central Australia and in pre-European times appears to have also occupied much of arid Western Australia. The species occurs in a range of habitats from tussock and hummock grasslands to low open woodland on ridge tops, cliffs, scree slopes, hills and valley floors. Its diet consists primarily of the seeds of shrubs, forbs and grasses, with leaf material of secondary importance. Plant stems, fern sporangia and insects are minor components of the diet.

Known and potential threats include: habitat degradation resulting from large wildfires, predation by introduced mammalian carnivores, weed invasion, habitat degradation from large introduced herbivores, parasites and disease, and climate change. This plan outlines identified threats and the actions required to help maintain or eventually improve the conservation status of the species.

Open for public comment

You are invited to comment on this draft recovery plan in accordance with the provisions of section 275 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

The public comment period closes 4 January 2010.

If you wish to comment on a draft recovery plan, please send your comments, quoting the title of the plan, to:

Email: recoveryplans@environment.gov.au

Mail:
Director
Recovery, Planning and Implementation Section
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601

Fax: 02 6274 1921

Draft recovery plans are available in hard copy from the Department's Community Information Unit

See also

Cover page of recovery plan

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