The Chestnut Dunnart, Sminthopsis archeri (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae), a new species from the savannahs of Papua New Guinea and Cape York Peninsula, Australia.

Abstract

Sminthopsis archeri sp. nov. is described from the mixed savannahs of southwestern Papua New Guinea and Cape York Peninsula, Australia. This medium-sized species has clearly defined striate apical granules on the interdigital hindfoot pads and characteristic development of the metastylar corner of the fifth upper molars. The phenetic affinities of S. archeri lie with the S. macroura species group and with S. butleri in particular. The historic problems associated with the identification of this species are outlined and some solutions proposed.