Bramble Cay melomys
The Bramble Cay melomys, or Bramble Cay mosaic-tailed rat (Melomys rubicola), is an extinct species of rodent in the family Muridae. While it was similar to the Cape York melomys it had some protein differences and a coarser tail.[5] It was genetically different to species from Australia and New Guinea.[6] It lived in burrows it had dug among plants, or under branches and leaves on the ground.[6] It was a nocturnal animal, and scientists believe it was a vegetarian.[6]
| Bramble Cay melomys | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Muridae |
| Genus: | Melomys |
| Species: | M. rubicola
|
| Binomial name | |
| Melomys rubicola | |
The Bramble Cay melomys was known only from a small population in Bramble Cay, a vegetated coral cay of 340 by 150 metres (1,120 ft × 490 ft).[7] The cay is in the eastern part of Torres Strait, off the northern tip of Australia. It is only 50 km from New Guinea. The melomys were probably trapped on the island by rising sea levels after the last ice age.[6] It is also possible to have come from the Fly River, perhaps floating on branches.[6] Scientists do not know much about the animals that live in the Fly River area.[6]
In the 1800s, there were lots of melomys on the island. A search in 1998 found 42 animals.[6] Another search in 2002 found 10 animals.[6] In 2004 a search found 12, but the melomys have not been seen since.[6] During this time, the sea level has risen, making the island smaller, and turtles and sea birds have eaten most of the plants. Scientists believe the Bramble Cay melomys is extinct.[8] It is possible that the species may be found on nearby islands as many of these have never been searched.[6] However, in June 2016, researchers from Queensland's Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, and the University of Queensland reported that the species had indeed become extinct.[2]
References
change- ↑ Woinarski, J.; Burbidge, A.A. (2016). " Melomys rubicola". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016. IUCN: e.T13132A97448475. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T13132A97448475.en. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Gynther, Ian; Waller, Natalie; Leung, Luke K.-P. (June 2016), Confirmation of the extinction of the Bramble Cay melomys Melomys rubicola on Bramble Cay, Torres Strait: results and conclusions from a comprehensive survey in August–September 2014 (PDF), Unpublished report to the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, Queensland Government, Brisbane., archived from the original (PDF) on 14 June 2016, retrieved 14 June 2016
- ↑ Slezak, Michael (14 June 2016). "Revealed: first mammal species wiped out by human-induced climate change". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
- ↑ Thomas, Oldfield (1924). "Some new Australasian Muridæ". Annals and Magazine of Natural History. Series 9. 13 (75): 298–299. doi:10.1080/00222932408633044.
- ↑ Musser, G. G.; Carleton, M. D. (2005). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. pp. 894–1531. ISBN 9780801882210. Retrieved 18 February 2015 – via google.
- ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 Lavery, Tyrone; Leung, Luke; Waller, Natalie (12 September 2013). "Australian endangered species: Bramble Cay Melomys". theconversation.com. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
- ↑ "Queensland Government, Environment and Resource management". 2 September 2005. Archived from the original on 2009-04-27.
- ↑ Kim, Milena; Pressey, Bob (14 January 2015). "Another Australian animal slips away to extinction". The Conversation. Retrieved 2015-01-14.