The Bronze Quoll, Dasyurus spartacus (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae), a new species from the savannahs of Papua New Guinea.

Abstract

Dasyurus spanacus sp. nov. is described from the low mixed savannahs of southwestern Papua New Guinea. It differs from all other species of Dasyurus in the extreme narrowness of the rostrum measured between left and right lachrymal canals. Its hallux and ear lengths are small. D. spartacus is a specialised species; its affinities lie with D. albopunctatus and possibly D. dunmalli (a fossil species).