Western Long-beaked Echidna

Taxobox
name = Western Long-beaked EchidnaMSW3 Groves|pages=2]
status = CR
status_ref = IUCN2006 | assessors = Australasian Marsupial & Monotreme Specialist Group | year = 1996 | title = Zaglossus bruijni | id = 23179 | downloaded = 2007-10-01 Listed as Endangered A1ac v2.3]
trend = down
status_system = iucn3.1


image_width = 250px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Monotremata
familia = Tachyglossidae
genus = "Zaglossus"
species = "Z. bruijni"
binomial = "Zaglossus bruijni"
binomial_authority = (Peters and Doria, 1876)

The Western Long-beaked Echidna ("Zaglossus bruijni") is one of the four extant echidnas and one of three species of "Zaglossus" that occur in New Guinea. Fossils of this species also occur in Australia. As "Tachyglossus bruijni", this is the type species of "Zaglossus".

The Western Long-beaked Echidna is present in New Guinea, in regions of elevation above 1300 m and up to 4000 m, it is absent from the southern lowlands and north coast. Its preferred habitats are alpine meadow and humid montane forests. Unlike the Short-beaked Echidna which eats ants and termites the Long-beaked species eats earthworms. The Long-beaked Echidna is also larger that the Short-beaked species, it reached up to 16.5 kg (36 lb), the snout is longer and turns downward, and the spines are almost indistinguishable from the long fur. It is distinguished from the other "Zaglossus" species by the number of claws on the fore and hind feet, it has three (rarely four) claws.

The species is listed as endangered by the IUCN, numbers have been decreased by reduced habitat due to human activities and hunting. The Long-beaked Echidna is a delicacy, and although hunting the species has been banned by the Indonesian and Papua New Guinean governments, traditional hunting is permitted.

In February 2006, an expedition led by Conservation International reported finding a population of the mammals as part of what they described as a "Lost world" of wildlife in the Foja Mountains of Papua Province, Indonesia. [ [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11114156/ ‘Lost World’ of wildlife found - World environment - MSNBC.com ] ]

References

*Augee, M and Gooden, B. 1993. "Echidnas of Australia and New Guinea". Australian National History Press ISBN 978-0-86840-046-4
*Flannery, T.F. and Groves, C.P. 1998 A revision of the genus "Zaglossus" (Monotremata, Tachyglossidae), with description of new species and subspecies. "Mammalia", 62(3): 367-396