Threatened Species of the Northern Territory

SOUTHERN MARSUPIAL MOLE ITJARITJARI Notoryctes typhlops

Conservation status Australia: Not listed Northern Territory: Vulnerable

Description bear claws and are opposed to the third and fourth. The middle three digits of the hind Marsupial moles comprise their own order foot also possess an enlarged claw. The within the marsupials; the female has a distinct pouch that, as in other Notoryctemorphia (Johnson and Walton burrowing marsupials, opens posteriorly. 1989). The order contains the southern marsupial mole or Itjaritjari (N. typhlops) and The eyes are vestigial, measure 1 mm in the northern marsupial mole or Kakarratul diameter, and are hidden under the skin. (N. caurinus). The southern marsupial mole There is no lens or pupil, and the optic consists of a southern and northern form nerve to the brain is reduced. that differ in morphology and genetics. The taxonomic implications of these differences Distribution are not fully understood. The southern marsupial mole occurs in the sandy deserts of central Western Australia The southern marsupial mole is a small (Pearson and Turner 2000), northern South animal (body mass 30-60 g, head and body Australia (apart from records from the length up to 140 mm) that is highly Fowlers Bay area near the SA coast) and distinctive in shape and appearance the Northern Territory. Within the (Johnson 1995). Key characteristics include Territory, it has been recorded from a tubular body shape, lack of external ears, locations concentrated in the south- heavily keratinized skin on the snout, a western quarter but has been collected as short, cylindrical, stumpy tail and short, far north as Barrow Creek (21°53’ S). The dense fur. Body colour ranges from almost few records of marsupial moles from the white through pinkish cinnamon to rich north- western Tanami Desert approach the golden red. The limbs are short and known range of the northern marsupial powerful. The third and fourth digits of the mole (N. caurinus), which has not yet been forefoot are greatly enlarged and bear large, confirmed from the NT (Benshemesh 2006). triangular claws that form a cleft spade or scoop. The remaining three digits of the forefoot are small, but the first and second

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Conservation reserves where reported: marsupial moles; a major breakthrough in Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park, Watarrka attempts to understand their distribution National Park and patterns of occurrence. The method involves digging a steep- and smooth- sided

trench and then counting the sand-filled tunnels that arose from previous passage of marsupial moles, visible in cross-section. Most tunnels occur between 20 and 100 cm below the surface with some more than 2 m below the surface (Benshemesh 2006).

The marsupial mole occasionally comes to the surface and seems more inclined to do so after rain in the cooler seasons. A characteristic three furrow track in the sand is made by the mole’s spade-like feet and Known locations of the Southern Marsupial Mole the stumpy tail. Marsupial moles typically Ecology remain above the surface only for a short distance (usually a few metres). Southern marsupial moles are found in the sandy deserts where they occupy dunes, Little is known about reproduction by sandy plains, and river flats. Underground marsupial moles, although single and twin sign is most common on well-vegetated pouch young have been reported. dunes (Benshemesh 2006). Aboriginal Conservation assessment people have indicated that marsupial moles require soft sand and cannot tunnel It is difficult to assign a category to N. through hard or loamy substrates that occur typhlops because of conflicting in swales between widely spaced dunes. interpretation of the available information. This view is supported by the results of Some authors have interpreted anecdotal surveys of underground sign (Benshemesh information, mainly from Aboriginal 2006). informants (Burbidge et al. 1988), as Food of marsupial moles includes various demonstrating that they are reasonably insects (adults, larvae, pupae and eggs), common but infrequently observed. other invertebrates and geckoes (Winkel Alternatively data on the rates of and Humphrey-Smith 1988). acquisition of specimens by museums (Johnson and Walton 1989) suggest a Marsupial moles dig with the aid of decline in abundance especially considering flattened claws. It is not known whether that human activities within the species they build nests of form permanent burrows range (mining exploration, road building, (Benshemesh 2006). Although marsupial tourism) have increased significantly over moles were previously considered to swim recent decades. The results of recent through the sand, recent investigations surveys carried out by Joe Benshemesh indicate that they are actually tunnellers indicate that southern marsupial moles are that back-fill as they move along. Joe very common in places. Benshemesh has used this behaviour to develop a survey methodology for

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This species qualifies as Vulnerable in the Complied by NT (under criterion C1), based on: • population size estimated to be Chris Pavey fewer than 10,000 mature [May 2006 updated November 2015] individuals; and References • an estimated continuing decline of at least 10% within 10 years or three Benshemesh, J. (2006). Marsupial mole recovery generations, whichever is longer. plan. (Northern Territory Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts, Alice Springs.). Threatening processes Burbidge, A.A., Johnson, K.A., Fuller, P.F. and Southgate, R.I. (1988). Aboriginal knowledge So little is known about the southern of animals of the central deserts of Australia. marsupial mole's current conservation Australian Wildlife Research 15, 9-39. status that it is highly speculative to Johnson K. A. (1995). Marsupial mole, describe threats. Predation by feral cats, Notoryctes typhlops. In The Mammals of European foxes and dingoes of marsupial Australia (ed R. Strahan.) pp. 409-411. moles when they are above ground (Australian Museum, Sydney). (Paltridge 1998), and soil compaction by Johnson K. A., and Walton D.W. (1989). stock movements or by vehicles, may be Notoryctidae. In Fauna of Australia: Volume 1B potential threats to the long-term survival Mammalia (eds D.W. Walton and B.J. Richardson). pp 591-602. (Australian of the species. Other threats that may Government Publishing Service, Canberra.) change the abundance of ants, insect larvae Paltridge, R. (1998). Occurrence of marsupial and termites, such as altered fire regimes mole (Notoryctes typhlops) remains in the and grazing, may also be important. faecal pellets of cats, foxes and dingoes in the Tanami Desert, N.T. Australian Mammalogy Conservation objectives and 20, 427-429. management Pearson, D.J., and Turner, J. (2000). Marsupial mole pops up in the Great Victoria and A national Recovery Plan for both the Gibson deserts. Australian Mammalogy 22, southern and northern marsupial moles has 115-119. been established (Benshemesh 2006). In Winkel, K. and Humphrey-Smith, I. (1988). Diet the interim, priorities for the recovery of of the marsupial mole, Notoryctes typhlops this species are to: (Stirling 1889) (Marsupialia: Notoryctidae). Australian Mammalogy 11, 159-161. Key actions in the plan that include work in the Northern Territory are to: i. understand distribution and relative abundance. ii. monitor population trends; iii. assess the threats imposed by fire, grazing and predation; iv. describe activity and ranging behaviour; v. prepare for captive individuals; and vi. co-ordinate and manage the recovery process

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