Kultarr - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Antechinomys laniger

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 27 Oct 2017

Description

The kultarr is a small, mouse sized marsupial that is brown/sandy coloured with a white belly. They have very large ears, protruding eyes, long delicate legs with four elongated toes, and a thin tail that is tipped with a dark tuft. Adult males can range between 80 and 100 mm long and weigh between 17–30 g while adult females can range between 70–95 mm long and weigh between 14–29 g. Kultarrs are known to use logs, stumps, tussocks and burrows of other animals for nesting. The lifespan of kultarrs in the wild is not known but they have been shown to live for up to 5 and a half years in captivity.

Distribution

Widespread across arid and semi-arid NSW but present in very low numbers. Records typically derive from captures by domestic cats or are collected after falling into steep-sided holes. Recent records have come primarily from the Cobar and Brewarrina region.

Habitat and ecology

A terrestrial insectivore that inhabits open country, especially claypans among Acacia woodlands.
Nocturnal, sheltering by day in hollow logs or tree-stumps, beneath saltbush and spinifex tussocks, in deep cracks in the soil and in the burrows of other animals.
Populations appear to fluctuate seasonally in response to environmental stresses, including declines following periods of drought and intensive flooding.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Predation by domestic and feral cats may be severe on local populations.
Predation by the European red fox.
Even low-intensity livestock grazing degrades habitat; overstocking causes destruction of the vegetation and soil structure (i.e. collapse of soil cracks used as shelter).
Flooding can eliminate populations locally.
Cultivation eliminates shelter and reduces foraging success.
Fire can destroy refuge sites and, on a larger scale, temporarily degrades cover and abundance of prey.
Populations may be reduced by intensification of land uses.
Lack of information on the species in NSW to inform a conservation management strategy.

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Control vertebrate pest populations (e.g. foxes, cats and rabbits) that either prey on, or compete with this species for resources.
Apply appropriate fire regimes that ensure natural succession and allow a mosaic of unburned areas to persist.
Reduce stock intensity of, or exclude grazing in, some areas to allow regeneration of vegetation and provide habitat, such as food sources and nest sites.
Restrict cultivation around remnant habitat.
Retain grasslands and ensure the full cycle of development of grasses, such as flowering, seed-set and tussock formation.
Retain stick and leaf litter for shelter and food resources.
Maintain spinifex or porcupine grasses (Triodia spp.) in the area.
Retain understorey shrubs and allow them to complete their life cycle (i.e., seed set, germination, establishment, growth to maturity).
Retain fallen logs as habitat, especially those with hollows.
Maintain exfoliating and soil-surface rocks in the area of concern.
Prevent clearing of habitat, such as nesting sites and food sources.
Report new records of species to the Department of Environment and Conservation.

Information sources

Dickman, C.R. (1992) The biology and management of dasyurids of the arid zone in New South Wales. Species Management Report Number 11. (NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Hurstville)
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Kultarr (Antechinomys laniger) Recovery Plan. (NSW NPWS, Sydney)
Valente, A. (2008) Kultarr Antechinomys laniger (Gould, 1856). Pp. 122-4 in Van Dyck, S. and Strahan, R. (eds.) The Mammals of Australia. Third Edition. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Brigalow Belt South	Moonie-Barwon Interfluve	Predicted	None
Brigalow Belt South	Narrandool	Predicted	None
Broken Hill Complex	Barrier Range	Predicted	None
Broken Hill Complex	Barrier Range Outwash	Predicted	None
Broken Hill Complex	Mootwingee Downs	Predicted	None
Broken Hill Complex	Scopes Range	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Bulloo	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Bulloo Dunefields	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Central Depression	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Core Ranges	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Sturt Stony Desert	Predicted	None
Cobar Peneplain	Barnato Downs	Known	None
Cobar Peneplain	Boorindal Plains	Known	None
Cobar Peneplain	Canbelego Downs	Known	None
Cobar Peneplain	Lachlan Plains	Known	None
Cobar Peneplain	Nymagee	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Bogan-Macquarie	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Castlereagh-Barwon	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Culgoa-Bokhara	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Louth Plains	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Menindee	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Warrambool-Moonie	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Wilcannia Plains	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Cuttaburra-Paroo	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Kerribree Basin	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Nebine Plains	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Paroo Overflow	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Paroo-Darling Sands	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Urisino Sandplains	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Warrego Plains	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Warrego Sands	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	West Warrego	Known	None
Mulga Lands	White Cliffs Plateau	Predicted	None
Murray Darling Depression	Darling Depression	Known	None
Murray Darling Depression	South Olary Plain	Predicted	None
Other State	QLD	Known	None
Other State	SA	Known	None
Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields	Strzelecki Desert	Predicted	None