M. Fasciatus Research Paper
M.fasciatus biodiversity issues and conservation
The banded anteater (Myrmecobius Fasciatus) is a small marsupial found only in Australia. The M.fasciatus has pale fur on the underbelly and coarse reddish-brown fur above on the back which is darkest on the rump refer to figure 1 (Sydenham, 2012). There are four to eleven noticeable white stripes across the back between the shoulders and tail (|The Western Australian Education, 2013). The reason for the stripes is that it projects as an effective camouflage allowing the M. Fasciatus to blend into its surroundings whenever it is needed. M.fasciatus has a long bushy tail that has a characteristic ‘bottle-brush’ appearance (Australian wildlife society, 2013). M. Fasciatus weighs about 400-700g and has a body length of 20-27cm. (Government of Western Australia, 2012). M. Fasciatus has a life expediency of two to three years but can be as much as five years. M. Fasciatus is strictly diurnal which means it is only active during the day; this characteristic is what sets it apart from most Australian marsupials that are predominantly nocturnal in nature. M. Fasciatus is the only member of the family Myrmecobiidae, one of the three families belonging to the order Dasyuromorphia. M.fasciatus classification in its own family means that …show more content…
Also due to fires that have occurred because of intentional reasons to destroy a certain area to allow space for urban development. Another major issue that has contributed to the declining number of M.fasciatus has been natural fire and cyclones that have occurred which was resulted in habitat loss for the specie. Another reason for the reduction in population size and distribution has been attributed to the introduction of the European red fox Vulpes and also feral cats which prey on the M.fasciatus (Australian wildlife society,
The banded anteater (Myrmecobius Fasciatus) is a small marsupial found only in Australia. The M.fasciatus has pale fur on the underbelly and coarse reddish-brown fur above on the back which is darkest on the rump refer to figure 1 (Sydenham, 2012). There are four to eleven noticeable white stripes across the back between the shoulders and tail (|The Western Australian Education, 2013). The reason for the stripes is that it projects as an effective camouflage allowing the M. Fasciatus to blend into its surroundings whenever it is needed. M.fasciatus has a long bushy tail that has a characteristic ‘bottle-brush’ appearance (Australian wildlife society, 2013). M. Fasciatus weighs about 400-700g and has a body length of 20-27cm. (Government of Western Australia, 2012). M. Fasciatus has a life expediency of two to three years but can be as much as five years. M. Fasciatus is strictly diurnal which means it is only active during the day; this characteristic is what sets it apart from most Australian marsupials that are predominantly nocturnal in nature. M. Fasciatus is the only member of the family Myrmecobiidae, one of the three families belonging to the order Dasyuromorphia. M.fasciatus classification in its own family means that …show more content…
Also due to fires that have occurred because of intentional reasons to destroy a certain area to allow space for urban development. Another major issue that has contributed to the declining number of M.fasciatus has been natural fire and cyclones that have occurred which was resulted in habitat loss for the specie. Another reason for the reduction in population size and distribution has been attributed to the introduction of the European red fox Vulpes and also feral cats which prey on the M.fasciatus (Australian wildlife society,