planigale

Planigale is a genus of small carnivorous marsupials in the family Dasyuridae, native to Australia and southern New Guinea. The group is notable for containing some of the smallest living marsupials by body size. Adults typically measure about 35 to 60 millimeters in body length, with tails of similar length, and they weigh only a few grams to around a dozen grams depending on the species.

The genus includes several species, among them the speckled planigale (Planigale maculata), Ingram’s planigale (Planigale ingrami), Giles’ planigale (Planigale gilesi), the narrow-nosed planigale (Planigale tenuirostris), and the New Guinea planigale (Planigale novaeguineae). Range and habitat vary by species, but planigales are generally associated with arid to semi-arid environments, woodlands, and scrub, where they inhabit leaf litter, soil crevices, and crevices under bark or logs.

Ecologically, planigales are insectivorous and prey on a variety of small invertebrates, and they may occasionally take small vertebrates. They are primarily nocturnal and solitary, with high metabolic rates that demand regular foraging. Their reproductive strategy follows the marsupial pattern of short gestation and development of highly altricial young that complete growth after birth, typically in a teat and pouch region.

Conservation status varies among species. While some planigales are relatively widespread, others have restricted distributions and face threats from habitat loss, altered fire regimes, and predation by introduced species such as cats and foxes. Research and monitoring continue to clarify their population trends and conservation needs.