A Significant Range Extension Of The Purple-Necked Petrogale Purpureicollis Rockwallaby

Abstract

IN 1982, the Queensland subspecies of the blackfooted rock-wallaby Petrogale lateralis purpureicollis was reported to occur around Mt Isa and south to around Dajarra (Briscoe et al. 1982). During 1991, the known range of this taxon was extended 300 km to the north-west when an adult female P. l. purpureicollis was collected from “Ridgepole Waterhole” in the Musselbrook Resource Reserve near Lawn Hill National Park (Eldridge et al. 1993). In 1994 the range was further extended when P. l. purpureicollis was recorded from the Constance Ranges and the upper reaches of Stockyard and Elizabeth Creeks; around the town of Cloncurry and the following distances from the town: 85 km north west; 60 and 87 km west; 4, 23, 28 and 35 km south and 15 km east (Bell et al. 1995). Approaches by the Cannington Mining operation to the southwest of McKinley in October 1999 to confirm the presence of rock-wallabies on nearby Glenholme Station established the presence of P. l. purpureicollis; a 75 km range extension to the south-east.