Editing Common planigale

{{Short description|Species of mammal}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Common planigale<ref name=MSW3>{{MSW3 Groves|pages=36}}</ref>
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Burnett, S. |author2=Dickman, C. |date=2016 |title=''Planigale maculata'' |volume=2016 |page=e.T40535A21944685 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T40535A21944685.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
| image = Planigale maculata - Gould.jpg
| genus = Planigale
| species = maculata
| authority = ([[John Gould|Gould]], 1851)
| range_map = Common Planigale area.png
| range_map_caption = Common planigale range
}}

The '''common planigale''' ('''''Planigale maculata'''''), also known as the '''pygmy planigale''' or '''coastal planigale''', is one of the small carnivorous [[marsupial]]s known as "[[marsupial mice]]" found in [[Australia]]. There they fill a similar [[ecological niche|niche]] to the [[insectivore]]s of other parts of the world.

The common planigale was first described by [[John Gould]] in 1851, using a specimen forwarded to England by the collector [[Frederick Strange]].<ref name="Gould1863">{{cite journal |last1=Gould |first1=John |title=Antechinus maculatus, Gould., Spotted Antechinus, [Pl. 44] |journal=The Mammals of Australia. |date=1863 |volume=1 |pages=51 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/part/312781}}</ref> It was originally described as ''Antechinus maculatus'', and it was retained in the genus ''[[Antechinus]]'' until [[Mike Archer (biologist)|Mike Archer]] transferred it to ''[[Planigale]]'' in his 1976 revision of the latter genus. The species' scientific name means "spotted flat-weasel".<ref name=Strahan>{{Cite book
  | last = Redhead
  | first = T. D.
  | contribution = Common Planigale
  | year = 1995
  | title = The Mammals of Australia
  | editor-last = Strahan
  | editor-first = Ronald
  | volume =
  | pages = 111–112
  | place=
  | publisher = Reed Books
  | isbn = 0-7301-0484-2
  }}</ref> 

Two subspecies are recognised:<ref name=MSW3/><ref name=Strahan/>
*''P. m. maculata'', found on mainland Australia;
*''P. m. sinualis'', found on [[Groote Eylandt]].

==Physical description==
As a "marsupial mouse," the common planigale lies somewhere between a [[mouse]] and a [[shrew]] in shape. Its body is covered in fur, though that of the tail is sparse when compared to the rest of the body. The underside of its coat is a light grayish yellow color, while the rest varies by individual from gray to a cinnamon color. This species is the largest of the genus, with a body and head length of about {{convert|100|mm|in|abbr=on}} and a tail length of about {{convert|80|mm|in|abbr=on}}. Typical weights are close to {{convert|15|g|oz|abbr=on}} for males and close to {{convert|11|g|oz|abbr=on}} for females. The head of the common planigale is very narrow, giving it a flattened appearance, though less so than other planigales. Females have a well-developed [[Pouch (marsupial)|pouch]] that opens toward the rear.<ref name=Morton/><ref name=Painter>{{Cite journal|author1=Painter, J. |author2=C. Krajewski |author3=M. Westerman | title = Molecular Phylogeny of the Marsupial Genus ''Planigale'' (Dasyuridae) | journal = [[Journal of Mammalogy]] | volume = 76 | issue = 2 |date=May 1995 | pages = 406–413 | doi = 10.2307/1382351 | jstor = 1382351 | publisher = Journal of Mammalogy, Vol. 76, No. 2}}</ref><ref name=Parker/>
[[File:Planigale maculata001.jpg|thumb]]
==Reproduction==
The [[gestation]] for common planigale is 20 days. At the end of that period, the female gives birth to 5-11 young; the number varies but tends to be consistent with the number of [[teat]]s the female possesses. They are born at an early stage in development and migrate to the pouch, where they suckle until they are fully developed. Young fully emerge from the pouch around 28 days of age, begin eating solid food at around 55, and are independent of the mother at 70. Breeding begins at around 290 days, later than many similar species. Males continue breeding until at least 24 months of age. Females are [[polyestrous]] and can raise several litters a year; in captivity, breeding takes place year-round.<ref name=Aslin>{{Cite journal| author = Aslin, Heather J. | title = Reproduction in ''Antechinus maculates'' Gould (Dasyuridae) | journal = Australian Wildlife Research | year = 1975 | issue = 2 | pages = 77–80 | volume = 2 | doi = 10.1071/WR9750077}}</ref>

==Behaviour==
The common planigale makes its living on the ground where thick cover is present to protect it from predators. Its flattened skull allows it to slip through narrow crevasses, holes, and stands of grass to escape quickly or hunt for its prey. Community nests are often built. In captivity, females make small, saucer-shaped nests out of bark and grass; it is assumed that they do the same in the wild. The species is primarily [[nocturnal]], though in the winter it will come out to forage for food in the daylight if conditions are favourable.<ref name=Parker/> If conditions are unfavourable, individuals may enter a state of [[torpor]]. In this state, [[metabolism]] is suppressed, decreasing oxygen use and lowering the [[Breath|respiration]] rate from 100/min to 15-30/min. Most species only enter torpor when food is scarce, but the common planigale has been observed to do so even when food is abundant, so air temperature may be the primary factor. While in this state, individuals curl up on their sides and tuck their heads into their stomach.<ref name=Morton/>

==Diet==
The common planigale, like other members of the [[genus]] ''[[Planigale]]'', eats primarily [[insect]]s and other [[arthropod]]s, though they may occasionally prey on other small animals, such as [[lizard]]s or [[bird]]s.<ref name=VanDeusen>{{Cite journal|author1=Van Deusen |author2=H. M. | title = Feeding Habits of ''Planigale'' (Marsupialia, Dasyuridae) | journal = [[Journal of Mammalogy]] | volume = 50 | issue = 3 |date=August 1969 | pages = 616–618 | doi = 10.2307/1378792 | jstor = 1378792 | publisher = Journal of Mammalogy, Vol. 50, No. 3}}</ref> Due to its small size, the common planigale tends to prefer smaller insects, typically those that are less than {{convert|15|mm|in|abbr=on}} in length. However, it is capable of taking larger prey, such as large [[beetle]]s and especially [[grasshopper]]s. To kill an insect, it bites the prey's underside, where the [[exoskeleton]] is softer.<ref name=Fisher/> In captivity, the species is known to eat [[mealworm]]s, commercial dog food, eggs, honey, and minced meat.<ref name=Morton/><ref name=Aslin/>

==Distribution and habitat==
The common planigale is found from the upper [[Hunter River (New South Wales)|Hunter River]] valley not far north of [[Sydney]] along the coast and hinterland to [[Cape York Peninsula|Cape York]], and across the [[Top End]] of Australia to the [[Kimberley region of Western Australia|Kimberley]] and a little beyond. It is also found on [[Groote Eylandt]]<ref name=Menkhorst>{{Cite book
  | last = Menkhorst
  | first = Peter
  |author2=Knight, Frank
  | title = A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia
  | publisher = [[Oxford University Press]]
  | year = 2001
  | location =
  | pages = 64–65
  | url =
  | doi =
  | isbn = 0-19-550870-X }}</ref> and on [[Great Keppel Island]] where its survival is threatened by proposed development. It occupies a wider range of habitat than other [[planigale]]s, living in [[sclerophyll]] forest, [[rainforest]], marshlands, grasslands and even the outer suburbs of [[Brisbane]] where it is occasionally trapped mistakenly as a [[house mouse]]. Throughout these habitats, it prefers areas with thick cover near water.<ref name=Morton>{{Cite journal|author1=Morton, S. R.  |author2=A. K. Lee | title = Thermoregulation and Metabolism in ''Planigale maculata'' (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae) | journal = Thermal Biology | volume = 3 | pages = 117–120 | publisher = Pergamon Press Limited | year = 1978 | location = Great Britain | doi = 10.1016/0306-4565(78)90003-7| issue = 3}}</ref><ref name=Parker>{{Cite book| editor = Parker, S.P. | year = 1990 | title = Grzimek's Encyclopedia of Mammals, Vol. 1 | publisher = McGraw-Hill Publishing Company | location = New York}}</ref><ref name=Fisher>{{Cite journal|author1=Fisher, D. O.  |author2=C.O. Dickman | title = Body Size-Prey Relationships in Insectivorous Marsupials: Tests of Three Hypotheses | journal = [[Ecology (journal)|Ecology]] | volume = 74 | issue = 6 |date=September 1993 | pages = 1871–1883 | doi = 10.2307/1939944 | jstor = 1939944 | publisher = Ecology, Vol. 74, No. 6|url=http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:250449/UQ250449_OA.pdf }}</ref>

==Conservation status==
The exact population of the common planigale is not known, but the species is not believed to be threatened and is not listed as such.<ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021" />

==References==
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{{Reflist}}

{{Dasyuromorphia|D.S.}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q194153}}

[[Category:Dasyuromorphs]]
[[Category:Mammals of Western Australia]]
[[Category:Mammals of the Northern Territory]]
[[Category:Mammals of New South Wales]]
[[Category:Mammals of Queensland]]
[[Category:Marsupials of Australia]]
[[Category:Mammals described in 1851]]
[[Category:Taxa named by John Gould]]