A review of Peroryctes broadbenti, the giant bandicoot of Papua New Guinea. (American Museum novitates, no. 3696)

Supplemental Materials

Date

2010

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

American Museum of Natural History.

DOI

DOI

Abstract

The giant bandicoot, Peroryctes broadbenti (Ramsay, 1879), is represented in museum collections by 23 specimens collected at 12 localities in the lowlands of the southeastern peninsula (the "Papuan Peninsula") of Papua New Guinea. Available data on P. broadbenti are reviewed, including its comparative anatomy and morphological variability, taxonomic relationships, geographic and elevational distribution, dietary and reproductive traits, and conservation status. Despite previous confusion between this species and P. raffrayana (Milne-Edwards, 1878), the two species are readily distinguished by a suite of external, cranial, and dental characters. Diagnostic characters are enumerated and illustrated, and comparisons drawn with other New Guinean bandicoots. Generic distinction of Peroryctes Thomas, 1906, in cranial morphology from other New Guinean bandicoots is also reviewed. A striking degree of sexual dimorphism is documented in both body size and dentition for P. broadbenti; these comparisons are set in context by a review of sexual dimorphism among bandicoots in general.

Description

41 p. : ill., map ; 26 cm. "September 14, 2010."

Keywords

Peroryctes broadbenti., Peramelemorphia., Papua New Guinea., Bandicoots (Marsupials)

Citation