Eastern Short-eared Rock-wallaby

About the Eastern Short-eared Rock-wallaby

The eastern short-eared rock-wallaby or Wilkins' rock-wallaby (Petrogale wilkinsi) is a species of rock-wallaby found in the northernmost parts of the Northern Territory of Australia, and is common in the Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks. It was thought to be a subpopulation of the short-eared rock-wallaby Petrogale brachyotis found in the Kimberley (Western Australia), but recent genetic and morphological studies have shown it to be distinct. Wilkins' rock-wallaby is smaller, has more distinct grey/brown markings on its head and sides, and more colourful limbs than the western species.

A species that emerged in results during examination of a poorly studied taxonomic complex, known as the brachyotis species group of the macropod genus Petrogale. The description of the cryptic species was published in 2014 as part of a study of the phylogeny of the genus of rock-wallabies.

The specific epithet commemorates the European explorer G. H. Wilkins, who had collected a specimen that was later assigned to the new species. Wilkins obtained his specimen in southeast Arnhem Land in 1925. Two common names have been assigned to the species, Wilkins’ rock-wallaby and the eastern... Wikipedia →