A search for the desert rat-kangaroo or ngudlukanta (

Abstract

The desert rat-kangaroo or ‘ngudlukanta’ (Caloprymnus campestris) was once sparsely distributed in the Lake Eyre Basin of north-eastern South Australia and adjacent parts of Queensland, but has not been collected since the 1930s. However, numerous reported sightings, including some recent, provide some hope that it may still be extant. In 2018 and 2019, we searched for evidence of this species at sites where it had been collected in the 1930s, and at places where people have since reported seeing an animal that fits its description. Our survey, which analysed data from more than 6000 camera trap nights, 536 predator scats and 226 km of spotlight transects, was the most extensive field-based search ever undertaken for this animal; but we found no evidence for its continued existence. However, our work did detect other threatened species including a range extension for the kowari (Dasyuroides byrnei), thereby demonstrating the value of surveys like this one. Because of the vastness and inaccessibility of much of the terrain comprising the supposed distribution of C. campestris, we do not see our null result as definitive for this poorly surveyed animal; we instead hope that it provides a starting point for future surveys aimed at resolving its status.

Mitogenome of the extinct Desert ‘rat-kangaroo’ times the adaptation to aridity in macropodoids

“…org/) for 10 out of the 11 named non-fossil crown potoroids. The extinction susceptibility of C. campestris was presumably exacerbated by its limited distribution (only four recognised collection 22 , and 13 potential sighting localities 17 within a ~ 350 km radius) and desert specialisation, which when coupled with habitat modification and the introduction of exotic species via European pastoralism 80 , underscores the extreme conservation sensitivity of Australia's unique arid zone marsupials and the urgent need to document their now dwindling multi-million-year evolutionary histories.…”

“…sometime between 1902 and 1905 (Fig. 1D) has been reidentified 22 , and various unsubstantiated live sightings made 17,23,24 , with the most recent in 2011 24 and 2013 17 prompting unsuccessful surveys for the species in 2018 and 2019 17 . Caloprymnus campestris has otherwise been classified as Extinct by the IUCN (https:// www.…”

Mitogenome of the Extinct Desert ‘Rat-Kangaroo’ Times the Adaptation to Aridity in Macropodoids

“…Caloprymnus campestris was thus probably an important 'ecosystem engineer' 60 , whose tragic loss is compounded by dramatic range reductions and the Near Threatened (Bettongia gaimardi, B. lesueur, Potorous tridactylus), Vulnerable (Potorous longipes), Endangered (Bettongia tropica), Critically Endangered (B. penicillata, Potorous gilbertii), or Extinct (B. anhydra, C. campestris, Potorous platyops) IUCN Red listings (https://www.iucnredlist.org/) for 10 out of the 11 named non-fossil crown potoroids. The extinction susceptibility of C. campestris was presumably exacerbated by its limited distribution (only four recognised collection 22 , and 13 potential sighting localities 17 within a ~350 km radius) and desert specialisation, which when coupled with habitat modi cation and the introduction of exotic species via European pastoralism 77 , underscores the extreme conservation sensitivity of Australia's unique arid zone marsupials and the urgent need to document their now dwindling multi-million-year evolutionary histories.…”

“…No further sightings of C. campestris were reported after this initial description, and the species was assumed to be extinct for some 90 years until Finlayson 16,21 announced the "Rediscovery of Caloprymnus campestris" in 1931-1932, from the remote Kooncheera Dune 17 region in the Sturt Stony Desert of far northeastern South Australia (Figure 1C). Since then, only a skin recovered sometime between 1902 and 1905 (Figure 1D) has been reidenti ed 22 , and various unsubstantiated live sightings made 17,23,24 , with the most recent being in 2011 24 and 2013 17 , prompting unsuccessful surveys for the species in 2018 and 2019 17 . Caloprymnus campestris has otherwise been formally classi ed as Extinct by the IUCN (https://www.iucnredlist.org/) since 1994, with the probable cause being over-predation by feral dogs, cats and foxes 25 .…”