Southern Ningaui - 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: Ningaui yvonneae

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 07 Sep 2017

Description

The Southern (or Mallee) Ningaui is a tiny (weighing 5 to 14 grams) carnivorous dasyurid (‘marsupial mouse’) with a narrow muzzle and small close-set eyes. The tail (53 to 71 millimetres) is similar in length to the head and body (48-81 mm). It is tawny-olive to greyish-olive fur above which grades to underparts that are pale grey. The chin is whitish and the heads may have cinnamon tones, particularly behind the eye. The fur is described as ‘bristly’ which is one of the distinguishing features from other dasyurids that occur in NSW. Dunnarts have sleeker fur, larger eyes and ears and pale feet while Planigales are most readily distinguished by the narrow, triangular head (and in NSW they occur in different habitats).

Distribution

Recorded from scattered locations across southern Western Australia, South Australia, north western Victoria and south western New South Wales. Within this area it appears to be patchily distributed, but can be locally common (as is the case in some locations in NSW). In NSW most records are from the far south west, including the Scotia mallee (Tarawi Nature Reserve, Scotia Sanctuary and surrounding properties) and east of the Darling River (Mungo and Mallee Cliffs National Parks and many surrounding properties). An apparently isolated population occurs in central NSW mallee with most records from Nombinnie, Round Hill and western Yathong Nature Reserves and one single record from remnant mallee near Taleeban (south west of West Wyalong).

Habitat and ecology

Shelters in spinifex clumps, beneath logs, and in dense vegetation, but may also dig its own burrows.
Nocturnal and preys on a wide range of arthropods and small lizards, which it captures amongst leaf litter. Can consume almost its own body weight in food in a single night.
A litter of 5 to 7 juveniles are weaned in late summer (February), though females appear to have the ability to have 2 litters a year. Most adults only live for approximately 14 months, and most disappear from the population in December.
Closely tied to vegetation with spinifex clumps (in NSW mainly associated with mallee woodlands), though occasionally recorded in other habitats.
Most movements are relatively localised, but males will regularly move more than 200 metres, particularly during the breeding season, and movements of up to 2 kilometres have been recorded.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Repeated fires, which impacts on the presence of spinifex, can cause the local extinction of this species if refuge areas from which recolonisation can occur are not retained.
Predation by foxes and feral cats, though the impact of predation is unknown.
Loss of habitat through clearing (trees, shrubs and spinifex) and removal of ground cover and debris.
Heavy grazing and trampling of habitat and food resources, particularly spinifex, by domestic stock, feral goats and rabbits may impact on this species.

Recovery strategies

A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click here

Activities to assist this species

Control vertebrate pest populations, e.g. foxes, cats and rabbits, which either prey on, or compete with this species for resources.
Apply appropriate fire regimes which ensure natural succession and allow a mosaic of unburned areas to persist.This can involve patch burn (up to 5% of habitat in any year and no more than 15% in five years) to promote variable age structure of habitat. Burn no more frequently than every 30 years and protect from large scale or more frequent wildfire. If wildfire occurs, undertake monitoring before implementing ecological burns.
Reduce stock intensity of, or exclude grazing in, some areas to allow regeneration of vegetation for habitat.
Retain stick and leaf litter for shelter and food resources.
Maintain spinifex habitats.

Information sources

Carthew, S.M. and Bos, D.G. (2008) Southern Ningaui Ningaui yvonneae Kitchener, Stoddart and Henry, 1983. Pp. 120-1 in Van Dyck, S. and Strahan, R (eds.) The Mammals of Australia. Third Edition. Reed New Holland, Chatswood.
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)
Menkhorst, P. and Knight, F. (2010) A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Third Edition. (Oxford University Press, South Melbourne)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Cobar Peneplain	Lachlan Plains	Known	None
Cobar Peneplain	Nymagee	Known	None
Murray Darling Depression	Darling Depression	Known	None
Murray Darling Depression	South Olary Plain	Known	None
Other State	SA	Known	None
Other State	VIC	Known	None

Images

Southern Ningaui, Peter Robinson, Viridans Images Image 1 of 2.
View slideshow.

Nature conservation

Threatened species