Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical
Echymipera kalubu is not a threatened species and is considered one of the more common mammals in New Guinea. However, one researcher (Flannery 1995) noticed a drastic decline of the species in the village of Betaviyp near Yapsiei, Sandaun Province, from 1984 to 1986. The introduction of predatory cats in 1984 and 1985 was believed to be the cause of their decline. Anderson et al. (1988), Flannery (1995)
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
Historically, E. kalubu was not a vital economic resource to humans. In the Madong area, it was sporadically hunted by burning Kunai grasslands. Flannery (1995)
Echymipera kalubu is a true omnivore. The species feed on invertebrates (e.g. insect grubs, earthworms, snails, slugs) and fruits (e.g. fallen banana bunches and papaya). Flannery (1985) recently suggested that these animals may be slightly more frugivorous than expected, as stomach contents consist mainly of seeds and fruit pulp. Anderson, Berry, Amos, Cook(1988)
Echymipera kalubu is found in New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago, and Mysol Island. It is most abundant in lowland New Guinea. Nowak (1991)
The habitats of E. kalubu are diverse. It is principally a forest species, but it has been found to occupy marshy grassland and coffee plantations. The animal becomes rarer at higher elevation. Within the forest, E. kalubu tunnel underneath the false floor of rotting vegetation in a pit-pit stand. Intensive activity is thus associated with recent tree fall and subsequent dense growth of secondary vegetation. Favorite places of foraging include decayed logs, gardens, and pit-pit. The animals can travel up to 1,550 meters or cover 0.5 hectare per night. Flannery (1995), Nowak (1991)
Terrestrial Biomes: forest
Echymipera kalubu is a relatively small mammal that slightly resembles a mouse but with distinctly marsupial features. Its combined head and body length ranges from 225 mm to 380 mm, and its tail length averages 75 mm. It has a long slender snout and stiff, spiny pelage. The dorsal section of the body varies in color, including bright reddish brown, dark coppery brown, black mixed with yellow, or black interspersed with tawny. The anterior section is usually buffy or brownish. It may be difficult to distinguish E. kalubu from related species E. rufescens and E. clara, but Flannery (1985) noted at least five characteristics unique to E. kalubu: 1) the lack of any trace of a black pad on the foot; 2) the presence of guard hairs of which only 1/5 are light-tipped; 3 ) its shorter, more rounder ears; 4) a shorter naked muzzle; and 5) a distinct crown on the head. Flannery (1995), Nowak (1991)
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Average mass: 650 g.
Echymipera kalubu is very fecund as breeding occurs throughout the year and begins at a very early age. Females can carry young when they reach as little as 450 grams, and males reach sexual maturity, with testes fully developed, at 300-500 grams. The gestation period for E. kalubu is 120 days and frequently, one to three young are found in the female's pouch. Anderson, et al. (1988), Flannery (1995)
Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual
The common echymipera (Echymipera kalubu), or common spiny bandicoot, is a bandicoot. It is long-snouted even by bandicoot standards. The upper parts are a coarse reddish-brown, flecked with spiny buff and black hairs. The tail is short and almost hairless. Length varies between 30 and 40 cm (12 and 16 in), with the tail accounting for an additional 8 to 10 cm (3.1 to 3.9 in); the weight is from 0.6 to 2 kg (1.3 to 4.4 lb).
The name kalubu, from which the scientific name is derived, is from the Ma'ya language of the Raja Ampat Islands.[3]
The common echymipera is native to New Guinea. Its presence in the Admiralty Islands is due to human introduction several thousand years ago, but not before 13,000 B.P.[3] However, unlike Phalangeridae species (cuscus), which have historically been widely introduced and distributed by humans, the Peramelidae (bandicoots) have generally not been spread as much via human introductions.[3]
It is hunted for human consumption in New Guinea.[4] The Common echymipera is a host of the Acanthocephalan intestinal parasite Australiformis semoni.[5]
The common echymipera (Echymipera kalubu), or common spiny bandicoot, is a bandicoot. It is long-snouted even by bandicoot standards. The upper parts are a coarse reddish-brown, flecked with spiny buff and black hairs. The tail is short and almost hairless. Length varies between 30 and 40 cm (12 and 16 in), with the tail accounting for an additional 8 to 10 cm (3.1 to 3.9 in); the weight is from 0.6 to 2 kg (1.3 to 4.4 lb).
