New species found at Springbrook could be just the beginning

A NEW species of marsupial has been found at Springbrook and scientists think it could be the first of many.

Black-tailed antechinus, Photographs are Copyright Gary Cranitch (Qld Museum)

SCIENTISTS say more unique creatures are waiting to be found in an ancient area of Springbrook National Park after the breakthrough discovery of a new marsupial.

Queensland University of Technology mammalogist Dr Andrew Baker yesterday announced the discovery of a mouse-like creature — a black-tailed antechinus — in a wet, high-altitude part of the World Heritage Area.

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And he said more undiscovered animals could be lurking nearby.

“The Gondwanaland rainforest relic at Springbrook is special and unique,” he said.

“It would not surprise me if there are other animals that are new in that area.

“Such things are about place not species.”

Although new species of insects and amphibians are discovered fairly regularly, new mammals are rare with about one found each year.

A related species of the antechinus was found in Queensland last year.

Dr Baker instantly knew he was on to something special last May when he came across the animal because of the yellow-orange fur near its eye and on its rump, along with its black tail and feet.

The markings set it apart from the related dusky antechinus species that was found about 300km away.

“We had an old picture and thought there was a different species on that basis,” Dr Baker said.

The researcher and his team had to set 300 traps — baited with peanut butter and oats — to prove the theory.

“When we found the first one in a trap, it made us even more sure,” he said.

It took several more months before Dr Baker could announce his find to the world, publishing the results in the scientific journal Zootaxa after rigorous genetic testing.

“We can’t name a species until it comes out in print (in a scientific journal),” he said.

Efforts over several more months managed to catch two more of the marsupials and Dr Baker fears there are few of the rare animals left.

He will apply for an endangered species listing for the black-tailed antechinus.

The marsupial’s breeding cycle is one of the things that puts it at risk.

The antechinus males are known for their frenzied sexual habits and they die before their young are born.

Research findings concluded the animals were overdoing it in order to promote their own genes over their competitors — but Dr Baker said the practice put the mammals in danger.

Dr Baker said a PhD student would be given the task of researching the animal over the next three years.