Diversity
Six species make up the genus
Dasyurus
, which all inhabit roles as carnivorous marsupials through Tasmania, Australia, and
New Guinea.
Dasyurus
species are small, with the largest,
Dasyurus maculatus
, weighing 4 kg, and the smallest,
Dasyurus hallucatus
, weighing around 500 grams. They are very similar in appearance, and may only appear
to differ slightly in size, coloration, or spots. They all share a triangular face,
spots, and a recognizable weasel or cat-like stance. As active nocturnal ambush predators,
their prey may be as small as grubs and small reptiles, or as large as possums and
wallabies. Though they can be relatively large and active, they are rarely seen during
the day. Smaller species may be more arboreal. Males are slightly larger than females
and will range further while hunting, which may lead to overlapping ranges, although
both sexes of all species are solitary in their ranges. All
Dasyurus
species are near threatened or endangered.
Geographic Range
The six species of
Dasyurus
are all becoming more isolated from one another due to increased habitat loss and
fragmentation, but their collective range spans across the islands of Tasmania, Australia,
and New Guinea.
Dasyurus albopunctatus
can be found over most of New Guinea excluding the southwest portion, while
Dasyurus spartacus
is found in a limited region of southern New Guinea.
Dasyurus hallucatus
occurs in pockets across northern coastal regions of Australia.
Dasyurus viverrinus
is extant on Tasmania, but its historical range also included regions of southern
mainland Australia.
Dasyurus maculatus
is also found in Tasmania as well as limited and shrinking portions in the southeast
of mainland Australia. The most isolated species in this genus,
Dasyurus geoffroii
, is now only found in the far southwest of Australia. Each of their current geographic
ranges are now smaller than they have been historically.
- Biogeographic Regions
- australian
Habitat
Quolls are successful in a huge variety of habitats. They are primarily ground-dwelling,
and their range contains various types of forest, shrubland, coastal scrub, grassland,
savanna, and rocky areas. They are also skilled climbers, and some species spend significant
amounts of time in trees. They do not tend to coexist with other mammalian predators
including dingoes (
Canis lupus dingo
), invasive red foxes (
Vulpes vulpes
), and feral cats (
Felis catus
), as they are generally outcompeted or regarded as a prey item. Dens are made in
tree hollows, rock piles, and burrows, and are chosen based on the availability of
prey in their vicinity. Quolls do not build their own dens and they change dens often,
so they rely on habitats that offer existing dens. Prey density is the most significant
factor in choosing habitat, and acts as the limiting factor in habitat choice when
there is enough space available. If density is permitting, quolls tend to prefer landscape
features such as gullies, ridgelines, and rocky escarpments to unbroken hills or flat
areas.
- Habitat Regions
- temperate
- terrestrial
- Terrestrial Biomes
- savanna or grassland
- forest
- rainforest
- scrub forest
Systematic and Taxonomic History
The members of the genus
Dasyurus
belong to the family
Dasyuridae
, the subfamily
Dasyurinae
, and the tribe
Dasyurini
. Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire is credited with describing
Dasyurus
, distinguishing it from initial European comparisons to native European mammals and
other members of family
Dasyuridae
. Its family, subfamily, and tribe were described in 1820 by Goldfuss. The common
name “quoll” is likely a bastardization of the much older Guugu Yimithirr name dhigul,
and has replaced “native cat” in common use in recent years. Within the tribe
Dasyurini
, which contains ten genera,
Dasyurus
is closely related to the more well-known Tasmanian devil (
Sarcophilus harrisii
).
Physical Description
Members of
Dasyurus
are small-bodied with a long tail, species ranging between 500 grams and 4 kg, and
range in color from light and dark brown to black. Their bodies are long and they
have short, powerful legs. All species have distinctive white spots on their dorsal
side, and
Dasyurus maculatus
also has a spotted tail. Members of some species have been observed to exhibit piebald
variants of their normal pelage. Sexual dimorphism is generally negligible, although
males tend to be slightly larger, weighing at most 1.5 times more than females. Female
Dasyurus maculatus
are the only species possessing a true pouch, which opens posteriorly. The other
five species have folds that result in a shallow, pouch-like place within which young
suckle.
Dasyurus
species have short, triangular faces with a pink nose and obvious canines, which
lead Europeans to compare them to housecats. This resulted in the now less-common
name “native cat.”
- Other Physical Features
- endothermic
- homoiothermic
- bilateral symmetry
- Sexual Dimorphism
- male larger
Reproduction
Quolls are solitary, and only intentionally come together for the mating season. Mating
takes place in winter, typically in late May or June. To allow for this, mating is
synchronized within each respective
Dasyurus
species. Quolls display differing levels of polyandry, with
Dasyurus hallucatus
displaying very high levels of polygynandry, resulting in more social interaction
than members of other species. Mating is an extremely time-sensitive issue and also
represents the only real social contact after leaving their mother that any individuals
ever experience, so there is frequent male fighting for access to females. Females
may show preference for smaller or larger males based on external environmental factors.
- Mating System
- polyandrous
- polygynandrous (promiscuous)
Members of
Dasyurus
are rare examples of semelparity among mammals. Males only live for a year and die
off completely in most species within the first weeks or months following mating.
Females, who tend to survive for two to three mating seasons, give birth first to
mostly male litters, and later in life to mostly female litters. Due to their promiscuous
mating style, each pup in a litter can have a different father. Litters are made up
of anywhere between 8 and 30 pups, six of which will survive, as mothers only have
six nipples. Prior to mating, the skin folds most species have will stretch to form
more of a pouch.
- Key Reproductive Features
- semelparous
- iteroparous
- seasonal breeding
- gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate)
- sexual
- viviparous
Because there is an almost complete male die-off following mating and prior to birth,
there is no male parental investment in any
Dasyurus
species. Gestation takes around 22 days, after which the highly underdeveloped young
move into the pouch and nurse. Once they are developed enough at roughly fifteen weeks
old, they will move between a den and their mother’s back, and are very dependent
on her for food. Within a year, they are sexually and physically mature.
- Parental Investment
- altricial
- female parental care
-
pre-weaning/fledging
-
provisioning
- female
-
protecting
- female
-
provisioning
-
pre-independence
-
provisioning
- female
-
protecting
- female
-
provisioning
Lifespan/Longevity
Members of
Dasyurus
can live for about 2-4 years in the wild, significantly shorter than placental counterparts
like many small felids, which regularly live many times as long in the wild. Their
lifespan is very centered on reproductive activity. Most males die after one breeding
season, and females will usually only survive for one to two more if resources are
available. Captive individuals are relatively uncommon, with the majority existing
in wildlife rehabilitation centers, but their lifespan may be nearly double in captivity,
although there has been almost no research done.
Behavior
Quolls are solitary and nocturnal, and spend most of their time developing as quickly
as possible to reach sexual maturity by the breeding season. They are only ever in
contact with other members of their species during mating and during the period in
which pups are reliant on their mother. Most species spend the majority of their time
on the ground and in and around fallen logs, although they are all well adapted to
climbing trees and can regularly be observed doing so. Males and females both form
territories. Females’ territories do not overlap, but a male’s territory may overlap
many others. Near territorial borders, multiple individuals often use communal latrines.
Within territories, individuals are highly vigilant and aware of predator or competitor
presence.
- Key Behaviors
- scansorial
- terricolous
- nocturnal
- motile
- sedentary
- solitary
- territorial
Communication and Perception
Dasyurus
species have good eyesight but rely on auditory and olfactory communication. When
individuals are in close proximity to one another, they may hiss, chirp, scream, and
cough. They may also alter pitch when dealing with adults, pups, or other species,
but further analysis of their vocalizations do not exist in the literature. They also
have a strong sense of smell and avoid contact by marking territories at community
latrines.
- Other Communication Modes
- scent marks
Food Habits
Members of
Dasyurus
are opportunistic and primarily carnivorous predators. They tend to eat mostly small
and medium-sized mammals, including possums, pademelons, wallabies, as well as smaller
mammals and carrion. Invasive European rabbits (
Oryctolagus cuniculus
) can also make up a large portion of their diet, and are very popular among
Dasyurus maculatus
in particular. Smaller and more arboreal species such as
Dasyurus halucatus
and
Dasyurus albopunctatus
also eat many invertebrates, birds, small reptiles and occasionally fruits. In
Dasyurus halucatus
, invasive cane toad (
Rhinella marina
) consumption is highly problematic as the toads are poisonous and an easy prey item
that leads to death. However, some populations appear to have developed toad-avoidance
behaviors that have passed through numerous generations.
- Primary Diet
-
carnivore
- eats terrestrial vertebrates
- insectivore
- scavenger
Predation
Quolls are small enough that they remain a target for predators. Their mammalian predators
include the Tasmanian devil, dingoes, previously thylacines, and more recently red
foxes, dogs (
Canis lupus familiaris
), and feral cats. Owls and wedge-tailed eagles (
Aquila audax
) routinely consume quolls, and some snakes act as an infrequent predator. The spots
quolls have may act as cryptic coloration to prevent predation. They also remain in
protected or hidden dens during the day and are able to run and climb quickly to evade
predators.
- Anti-predator Adaptations
- cryptic
Ecosystem Roles
All quolls are predators and prey in their respective ecosystems, and
Dasyurus maculatus
is considered to be an apex predator. The most important impact each species has
on its ecosystem is in population control of prey species, which is especially important
where historical predator populations are reduced, including native humans and now-extinct
thylacines (
Thylacinus cynocephalus
). They also partially contribute to biodegradation through scavenging. The intensity
of the male die-off may allow quolls to serve as a reliable annual resource for nearby
scavengers, but more research is needed to confirm this.
- Ecosystem Impact
- biodegradation
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Dasyurus
species are important for keeping prey populations managed. Invasive rabbits are
hugely destructive across farmland in Australia, and quolls efficiently hunt them
wherever their ranges coincide. They tend not to generate tourist appeal on their
own, although they can contribute to it. In captivity, efforts to promote the conservation
of quoll species through an expanded pet market may allow quolls and their care to
serve as a valuable business enterprise in the future. Their decreasing numbers mean
that economic benefits outside of captivity will likely continue to decline. Some
conservation efforts may benefit from using
Dasyurus
species as models for education.
- Positive Impacts
- pet trade
- research and education
- controls pest population
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
Members of
Dasyurus
are opportunists, and as such are prone to taking poultry from rural farmers. They
can tear through nets protecting poultry or ripe produce. Quolls also regularly carry
various pathogens, although there is not sufficient evidence that these are ever transferred
to domesticates or humans. There are no other known adverse effects of quolls on humans.
Conservation Status
Dasyurus
species all have some conservation concern.
Dasyurus maculatus
,
Dasyurus geoffroii
,
Dasyurus albopunctatus
, and
Dasyurus spartacus
are all near threatened.
Dasyurus viverrinus
and
Dasyurus hallucatus
are listed as endangered. None of the species are experiencing serious fragmentation
of their habitats, however, populations are continuing to decline in all species due
primarily to a combination of severe fires, urban and agricultural expansion, and
invasive predators. The invasive threats are predominantly cats and foxes, although
cane toads are toxic when consumed, which occurs frequently. Some efforts to reduce
invasive rabbit species using poison have also affected quolls. Competition predation
from native species including Tasmanian devils (
Sarcophilus harrisii
) and dingoes may also be contributing to their decline. The harvesting of palm oil
poses a threat to
Dasyurus albopunctatus
and
Dasyurus spartacus
. More intensive fire management, invasive species reduction, and habitat protection
are currently being employed to various degrees. Additionally, there are multiple
breeding programs and some reintroduction, in combination with better public outreach
and education about quolls. There is some debate on the idea of promoting quoll species
as pets as part of the conservation effort, however, this is not presently a significant
factor in conserving any species in the genus.
Additional Links
Contributors
Jonah Dineen (author), Colorado State University, Tanya Dewey (editor), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.
- Australian
-
Living in Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, New Guinea and associated islands.
- native range
-
the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.
- temperate
-
that region of the Earth between 23.5 degrees North and 60 degrees North (between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle) and between 23.5 degrees South and 60 degrees South (between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle).
- terrestrial
-
Living on the ground.
- tropical savanna and grassland
-
A terrestrial biome. Savannas are grasslands with scattered individual trees that do not form a closed canopy. Extensive savannas are found in parts of subtropical and tropical Africa and South America, and in Australia.
- savanna
-
A grassland with scattered trees or scattered clumps of trees, a type of community intermediate between grassland and forest. See also Tropical savanna and grassland biome.
- temperate grassland
-
A terrestrial biome found in temperate latitudes (>23.5° N or S latitude). Vegetation is made up mostly of grasses, the height and species diversity of which depend largely on the amount of moisture available. Fire and grazing are important in the long-term maintenance of grasslands.
- forest
-
forest biomes are dominated by trees, otherwise forest biomes can vary widely in amount of precipitation and seasonality.
- rainforest
-
rainforests, both temperate and tropical, are dominated by trees often forming a closed canopy with little light reaching the ground. Epiphytes and climbing plants are also abundant. Precipitation is typically not limiting, but may be somewhat seasonal.
- scrub forest
-
scrub forests develop in areas that experience dry seasons.
- endothermic
-
animals that use metabolically generated heat to regulate body temperature independently of ambient temperature. Endothermy is a synapomorphy of the Mammalia, although it may have arisen in a (now extinct) synapsid ancestor; the fossil record does not distinguish these possibilities. Convergent in birds.
- bilateral symmetry
-
having body symmetry such that the animal can be divided in one plane into two mirror-image halves. Animals with bilateral symmetry have dorsal and ventral sides, as well as anterior and posterior ends. Synapomorphy of the Bilateria.
- polyandrous
-
Referring to a mating system in which a female mates with several males during one breeding season (compare polygynous).
- polygynandrous
-
the kind of polygamy in which a female pairs with several males, each of which also pairs with several different females.
- semelparous
-
offspring are all produced in a single group (litter, clutch, etc.), after which the parent usually dies. Semelparous organisms often only live through a single season/year (or other periodic change in conditions) but may live for many seasons. In both cases reproduction occurs as a single investment of energy in offspring, with no future chance for investment in reproduction.
- iteroparous
-
offspring are produced in more than one group (litters, clutches, etc.) and across multiple seasons (or other periods hospitable to reproduction). Iteroparous animals must, by definition, survive over multiple seasons (or periodic condition changes).
- seasonal breeding
-
breeding is confined to a particular season
- sexual
-
reproduction that includes combining the genetic contribution of two individuals, a male and a female
- viviparous
-
reproduction in which fertilization and development take place within the female body and the developing embryo derives nourishment from the female.
- altricial
-
young are born in a relatively underdeveloped state; they are unable to feed or care for themselves or locomote independently for a period of time after birth/hatching. In birds, naked and helpless after hatching.
- female parental care
-
parental care is carried out by females
- nocturnal
-
active during the night
- motile
-
having the capacity to move from one place to another.
- sedentary
-
remains in the same area
- solitary
-
lives alone
- territorial
-
defends an area within the home range, occupied by a single animals or group of animals of the same species and held through overt defense, display, or advertisement
- acoustic
-
uses sound to communicate
- chemical
-
uses smells or other chemicals to communicate
- scent marks
-
communicates by producing scents from special gland(s) and placing them on a surface whether others can smell or taste them
- visual
-
uses sight to communicate
- tactile
-
uses touch to communicate
- acoustic
-
uses sound to communicate
- chemical
-
uses smells or other chemicals to communicate
- cryptic
-
having markings, coloration, shapes, or other features that cause an animal to be camouflaged in its natural environment; being difficult to see or otherwise detect.
- biodegradation
-
helps break down and decompose dead plants and/or animals
- pet trade
-
the business of buying and selling animals for people to keep in their homes as pets.
- carnivore
-
an animal that mainly eats meat
- insectivore
-
An animal that eats mainly insects or spiders.
- scavenger
-
an animal that mainly eats dead animals
References
Aitkin, L., J. Nelson, R. Shepherd. 1994. Hearing, vocalization and the external ear of a marsupial, the Northern Quoll, Dasyurus hallucatus. Journal of Comparative Neurology , 349/3: 377-388. Accessed September 29, 2021 at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/cne.903490305 .
Belcher, C., J. Darrant. 2006. Habitat use by tiger quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae) in south-eastern Australia. Journal of Zoology , 269/2: 183-190. Accessed October 15, 2021 at https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1469-7998.2006.00056.x .
Burbidge, A., J. Woinarsky. 2016. "Eastern Quoll" (On-line). ICUN Red List. Accessed September 22, 2021 at https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/6296/21947190 .
Burnett, S., C. Dickman. 2018. "Spotted-Tailed Quoll" (On-line). ICUN Red List. Accessed September 22, 2021 at https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/6300/21946847 .
Chan, R., J. Dunlop, P. Spencer. 2019. Highly promiscuous paternity in mainland and island populations of the endangered Northern Quoll. Journal of Zoology , 310/3: 210-220. Accessed October 04, 2021 at https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jzo.12745?casa_token=va7YDHnYDpgAAAAA%3AhZW8py0qbi8syeQQEVR6tTwuBqA7xGyC5VGKa8yLMljKj7TaNjDnHMa3jrAWBoV-9Jk8TkCGC5DTSAkd .
Glen, A., C. Dickman. 2006. Diet of the spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) in eastern Australia: effects of season, sex and size. Journal of Zoology , 269: 241-248. Accessed October 15, 2021 at https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1469-7998.2006.00046.x .
Glen, A., C. Dickman. 2008. Niche overlap between marsupial and eutherian carnivores: Does competition threaten the endangered spotted-tailed quoll?. Journal of Applied Ecology , 45/2: 700-707. Accessed October 15, 2021 at https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2007.01449.x .
Glen, A., C. Dickman. 2006. Home range, denning behaviour and microhabitat use of the carnivorous marsupial Dasyurus maculatus in eastern Australia. Journal of Zoology , 268/4: 347-354. Accessed October 04, 2021 at https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1469-7998.2006.00064.x .
Gorta, S., B. Alting, A. Claridge, T. Henderson. 2021. Apparent piebald variants in quolls (Dasyurus): examples of three recent cases in the spotted-tailed quoll Dasyurus maculatus. Australian Mammalogy , 43/3: 373-377. Accessed September 29, 2021 at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348642393_Apparent_piebald_variants_in_quolls_Dasyurus_examples_of_three_recent_cases_in_the_spotted-tailed_quoll_Dasyurus_maculatus .
Heiniger, J., S. Cameron, T. Madsen, A. Niehaus, R. Wilson. 2019. Demography and spatial requirements of the endangered northern quoll on Groote Eylandt. Wildlife Research , 33/2: 101-110. Accessed October 04, 2021 at https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO9850101 .
Hill, J., W. Hill. 1953. The growth-stages of the pouch-young of the Native Cat (Dasyurus viverrinus)* together with observations of the anatomy of the new-born young.. Zoological Society of London , 28/5: 349-352. Accessed October 04, 2021 at https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1096-3642.1955.tb00003.x .
Jones, M., R. Rose, S. Burnett. 2001. Dasyurus maculatus. Mammalian Species , 676: 1-9. Accessed October 04, 2021 at https://bioone.org/journals/mammalian-species/volume-2001/issue-676/1545-1410_2001_676_0001_DM_2.0.CO_2/Dasyurus-maculatus/10.1644/1545-1410(2001)676%3C0001:DM%3E2.0.CO;2.short?casa_token=xaVJ5SqP3W4AAAAA%3aWFDAMktpkdjlDEMXZdW_lrJgRTkl7kneDTDajD5DyNKSGDeHLCYC-3sLunV7KuGVDYZmj2buaAY .
Jones, M., R. Rose. 2001. Dasyurus viverrinus. Mammalian Species , 677: 1-9. Accessed September 28, 2021 at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316143467_Dasyurus_viverrinus .
Jones, M. 1998. The function of vigilance in sympatric marsupial carnivores: the eastern quoll and the Tasmanian devil. Animal Behavior , 56/5: 1279-1284. Accessed September 29, 2021 at https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1096-3642.1955.tb00003.x .
Kelly, E., B. Phillips. 2017. Get smart: native mammal develops toad-smart behavior in response to a toxic invader. Behavioral Ecology , 28/3: 854-858. Accessed October 15, 2021 at https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/arx045 .
Linley, G., A. Rypalski, G. Story, E. Ritchie. 2020. Run rabbit run: spotted-tailed quoll diet reveals invasive prey is top of the menu. Journal of the Australian Mammal Society , 43/2: 221-225. Accessed October 15, 2021 at https://www.publish.csiro.au/am/AM19069 .
Oakwood, M., J. Woinarsky, S. Burnett. 2016. "Northern Quoll" (On-line). ICUN Red List. Accessed September 22, 2021 at https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/6295/21947321 .
Oakwood, M., P. Hopwood. 1999. A survey of the attributes and requirements of quolls that may affect their suitability as household pets. Australian Zoologist , 31/2: 365-375. Accessed December 08, 2021 at https://meridian.allenpress.com/australian-zoologist/article/31/2/365/134555/A-survey-of-the-attributes-and-requirements-of .
Oakwood, M. 2000. Reproduction and demography of the northern quoll, Dasyurus hallucatus, in the lowland savanna of northern Australia. Australian Journal of Zoology , 48/5: 519-539. Accessed October 04, 2021 at https://www.publish.csiro.au/zo/zo00028 .
Portas, T., M. Evans, D. Spratt, P. Vaz, J. Devlin, A. Barbosa, B. Wilson, A. Rypalski, C. Wimpenny, D. Fletcher, I. Gordon, J. Newport, A. Manning. 2020. Baseline health and disease assessment of founder eastern quolls (Dasyurus viverrinus) during a conservation translocation to mainland Australia. Journal of Wildlife Diseases , 56/3: 547-559. Accessed December 08, 2021 at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339033102_Baseline_health_and_disease_assessment_of_founder_eastern_quolls_Dasyurus_viverrinus_during_a_conservation_translocation_to_mainland_Australia .
Woinarsky, J., A. Burbidge. 2019. "Western Quoll" (On-line). ICUN Red List. Accessed September 22, 2021 at https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/6294/21947461 .
Woolley, P., T. Leary, L. Seri, T. Flannery, D. Wright, S. Hamilton, K. Helgen, R. Singadan, J. Menzies, A. Allison, R. James. 2016. "Bronze Quoll" (On-line). ICUN Red List. Accessed September 22, 2021 at https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/6299/21946965 .
Woolley, P., T. Leary, L. Seri, T. Flannery, D. Wright, S. Hamilton, K. Helgen, R. Singadan, J. Menzies, A. Allison, R. James. 2016. "New Guinea Quoll" (On-line). ICUN Red List. Accessed September 22, 2021 at https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/6299/21946965 .
2005. "Dasyurus" (On-line). Wilson and Reeder's Mammal Species of the World Third Edition. Accessed September 22, 2021 at https://www.departments.bucknell.edu/biology/resources/msw3/browse.asp?s=y&id=10800019 .
2017. "Guguyimidjir-English dictionary" (On-line). Glosbe. Accessed December 08, 2021 at https://en.glosbe.com/kky/en/dhigul .
2017. "Meanings and origins of Australian words and idioms" (On-line). Australian National University School of Literature, Language and Linguistics. Accessed September 22, 2021 at https://slll.cass.anu.edu.au/centres/andc/meanings-origins/q .
2006. "Report: Dasyurus" (On-line). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed September 22, 2021 at https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=552407#null .