Kingdom Animalia Infraclass Marsupialia Family Dasyuridae Scientific name Ningaui Rank Genus | Phylum Chordata Order Dasyuromorphia Subfamily Sminthopsinae Higher classification Sminthopsini | |
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Lower classifications Southern ningaui, Wongai ningaui, Pilbara ningaui | ||
Ningauis, members of the genus Ningaui, are small members of the dasyurid family. Along with the planigales, they are among the smallest marsupials. They are related to the dunnarts and are restricted to arid regions of Australia.
All ningauis are nocturnal hunters of invertebrates. In appearance they resemble mice or similar small rodents, but can be distinguished by their pointed snouts. The genus Ningaui was one of the last of the Australian marsupial genera to be erected; this occurred with the surprise discovery of the Wongai ningaui (N. ridei) and the Pilbara ningaui (N. timealeyi) in 1975.
The name "ningaui" refers to a creature from Aboriginal myth.
Species
The three species of ningaui are:
References
Ningaui Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA