List of extinct animals of Australia
Following is a complete list of Australian animal extinctions from 1788 to the present. There are 24 birds (though just 1 from the mainland), 4 frogs, and 27 mammal species or subspecies strongly believed to have become extinct in Australia since European settlement.
Extinctions are recorded under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Several invertebrate species have also been listed as extinct by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN); however, this list is less exhaustive, as invertebrates are more difficult to survey and are less well studied.
Extinct Australian animals: 1788 to present
Birds
Species | Common name | Location(s) | Comments | Pictures |
Aplonis fusca | Tasman starling | Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island, NSW | Last recorded 1923. Competition from introduced European starling, song thrush and common blackbird, clearance for agriculture. Predation from introduced black rats.[1] | |
Columba vitiensis godmanae | White-throated pigeon (Lord Howe Island), Lord Howe pigeon | Lord Howe Island | Last recorded 1853. Believed due to hunting. | |
Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae subflavescens | Red-crowned parakeet (Lord Howe Island), Lord Howe parakeet | Lord Howe Island | Last recorded 1869. Due to persecution, because of predation on gardens and crops. | |
Dasyornis broadbenti litoralis | Rufous bristlebird (western), south-western rufous bristlebird | WA | ||
Dromaius ater | Dwarf emu, King Island emu | Tas | 1822. Extinction through hunting and, apparently, fires started by visiting sailors | |
Dromaius baudinianus | Kangaroo Island emu | Kangaroo Island | 1805. Extinction has been attributed to hunting and habitat clearance through burning. A captive bird died in 1822 | |
Dromaius novaehollandiae diemenensis | Tasmanian emu | Tas | 1850 | |
Drymodes superciliaris colcloughi | Roper River scrub-robin | NT | Last record: 1910. This subspecies may be invalid. It is known from only two specimens of doubtful provenance.[2] | |
Gallicolumba norfolciensis | Norfolk ground dove | Norfolk Island | 1850s | |
Gerygone insularis | Lord Howe gerygone, Lord Howe warbler | Lord Howe Island | Not recorded since 1928. Believed to be a result of the introduction of black rats following the grounding of SS Makambo in June 1918. | |
Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae spadicea | New Zealand pigeon (Norfolk Island race) | Norfolk Island | ||
Lalage leucopyga leucopyga | Norfolk Island long-tailed triller | Norfolk Island | ||
Nestor productus | Norfolk Island kaka | Norfolk Island | ||
Ninox novaeseelandiae albaria | Southern boobook (Lord Howe Island), Lord Howe boobook owl | Lord Howe Island | ||
Ninox novaeseelandiae undulata | Southern boobook (Norfolk Island), Norfolk Island boobook | Norfolk Island | 1996 | |
Porphyrio albus | White gallinule | Lord Howe Island | ||
Psephotus pulcherrimus | Paradise parrot | NSW, Qld | Date uncertain but around 1927; more recent sightings are sometimes claimed but have never been confirmed. Cause uncertain, most hypotheses centre on starvation from lack of grass seed after drought, overgrazing, more frequent fires, and introduction of prickly pear. | |
Rallus pectoralis clelandi | Lewin's water rail (western) | WA | Last record: 1932. | |
Gallirallus philippensis macquariensis | Macquarie Island rail | Macquarie Island | ||
Rhipidura cervina | Lord Howe fantail | Lord Howe Island | Not recorded since 1924. Believed to be a result of the introduction of black rats following the grounding of SS Makambo in June 1918. | |
Turdus poliocephalus poliocephalus | Norfolk Island thrush, grey-headed blackbird | Norfolk Island | ||
Turdus poliocephalus vinitinctus | Lord Howe Island thrush | Lord Howe Island | Not recorded since c. 1924. Believed to be a result of the introduction of black rats following the grounding of SS Makambo in June 1918. | |
Zosterops albogularis | White-chested white-eye, Norfolk Island silvereye | Norfolk Island | The IUCN considers this species endangered; it is listed as extinct under the EPBC act since it has not been officially documented for over 20 years. | |
Zosterops strenuus | Robust white-eye | Lord Howe Island | Not recorded since 1923. Believed to be a result of the introduction of black rats following the grounding of SS Makambo in June 1918. |
Amphibians
The reason for the decline and extinction of these frog species is unclear, decline in frog populations is an international phenomenon. 14 species are listed as critically endangered, and some of these may already be extinct.
Species | Common name | Location(s) | Comments | Pictures |
Rheobatrachus silus[3] | Gastric-brooding frog | Qld | Last wild specimen recorded in 1981 | |
Rheobatrachus vitellinus[4] | Eungella gastric-brooding frog | Qld | Last wild specimen recorded in 1985 | |
Taudactylus acutirostris[5] | Sharp-snouted day frog, sharp-snouted torrent frog | Qld | Last wild specimen recorded in 1997 | |
Taudactylus diurnus[6] | Southern day frog, 1987 Mt Glorious torrent frog | Qld | Last wild specimen recorded in 1979 |
Reptiles
Species | Common name | Location(s) | Comments | Pictures |
Emoia nativitatis | Christmas Island forest skink | Christmas Island | Last captive specimen died May 31, 2014[7] | |
Mammals and Marsupials
Species | Common name | Location(s) | Comments | Pictures |
Bettongia gaimardi gaimardi | Eastern bettong (mainland) | NSW, Qld, SA, VIC | ||
Bettongia lesueur graii | Boodie, burrowing bettong (inland) | WA | ||
Bettongia penicillata penicillata | Brush-tailed bettong (south-east mainland) | NSW, NT, SA, VIC, WA | ||
Caloprymnus campestris[8] | Desert rat-kangaroo | Qld, SA, NT | 1935 | |
Chaeropus ecaudatus[9] | Pig-footed bandicoot | NSW, NT, SA, VIC, WA | 1950s | |
Conilurus albipes[10] | White-footed rabbit-rat | NSW, Qld, SA, VIC | 1857 | |
Lagorchestes asomatus[11] | Central hare-wallaby | NT | 1935 | |
Lagorchestes hirsutus hirsutus | Rufous hare-wallaby (south-west mainland) | NT, SA, WA | ||
Lagorchestes leporides[12] | Eastern hare-wallaby | NSW, Qld, SA, VIC | 1890 | |
Lagostrophus fasciatus albipilis[13] | Banded hare-wallaby (mainland) | WA | ||
Macropus eugenii eugenii[14] | Tammar wallaby (South Australia) | SA | Population rediscovered in New Zealand | |
Macropus greyi[15] | Toolache wallaby | SA, VIC | 1932 | |
Macrotis leucura[16] | Lesser bilby | NT, Qld, SA | 1931 | |
Macropus greyi[17] | Toolache wallaby | SA, VIC | 1932 | |
Macropus greyi[18] | Toolache wallaby | SA, VIC | 1932 | |
Melomys rubicola[19] | Bramble Cay melomys | Bramble Cay, QLD | 1896 | |
Notomys longicaudatus | Long-tailed hopping-mouse | NT, SA, WA | 1901 | |
Notomys macrotis[20] | Big-eared hopping-mouse | WA | 1843 | |
Notomys mordax[21] | Darling Downs hopping-mouse | NSW, Qld | 1846 | |
Onychogalea lunata[22] | Crescent nail-tail wallaby | SA, WA | 1956 | |
Perameles bougainville fasciata[23] | Western barred bandicoot (mainland) | NSW, VIC | ||
Perameles eremiana[24] | Desert bandicoot | NT, SA, WA | <1960 | |
Potorous platyops[25] | Broad-faced potoroo | WA | 1865 | |
Pseudomys glaucus[26] | Blue-grey mouse | NSW, Qld | 1956 | |
Pseudomys gouldii[27] | Gould's mouse | NSW, Qld, SA, VIC, WA | 1857 | |
Pteropus brunneus[28] | Dusky flying fox | Qld | late 1800s | |
Rattus macleari[29] | Maclear's rat | Christmas Island | 1908 | |
Rattus nativitatis[30] | Bulldog rat | Christmas Island | last recorded in 1903 | |
Thylacinus cynocephalus[31] | Thylacine, Tasmanian tiger | Tas | 1936
There have been 1-4 sightings a year but none have been confirmed |
Possibly extinct
Species | Common name | Location(s) | Comments | Pictures |
Crocidura trichura[32] | Christmas Island shrew | Christmas Island | 1985 | |
Leporillus apicalis[33] | Lesser stick-nest rat | NSW, NT, SA, VIC, WA | 1933 | |
Nyctophilus howensis | Lord Howe long-eared bat | Lord Howe Island | ||
Pipistrellus murrayi[34] | Christmas Island pipistrelle | Christmas Island | August 2009 | |
Invertebrates
Several Australian Invertebrates have been listed by the World Conservation Union as having become extinct. However they are not listed as extinct under Australian legislation.
Species | Common name | Location(s) | Comments | Pictures |
Hypolimnus pedderensis | Lake Pedder Earthworm | Tas | Probably extinct in 1972, confirmed in 1996 | |
Advena campbelli | Campbell's Land Snail | Norfolk Island | ||
Nancibella quintalia | Norfolk Snail | Norfolk Island | ||
Tornelasmias capricorni | Lord Howe Snail | [35] | ||
Angrobia dulvertonensis | Macqaurie Slug | 1996[36] | ||
Placostylus bivaricosus etheridgei | Lord Howe Slug | [37] |
Extinct Australian animals pre-European settlement (1788)
Reptiles
Species | Common name | Location(s) | Comments | Pictures |
Megalania | Giant Australian Goanna | Australia | 30,000 years b.p. | |
See also
References
- ↑ http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=25895
- ↑ Schodde R, Mason IJ (1999). The Directory of Australian Birds: Passerines. A Taxonomic and Zoogeographic Atlas of the Biodiversity of Birds in Australia and its Territories. Collingwood, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. pp. x 851 pp. ISBN 0-643-06456-7.
- ↑ Ed Meyer; David Newell; Harry Hines; Sarah May; Jean-Marc Hero; John Clarke; Frank Lemckert (2004). "Rheobatrachus silus (Southern Gastric Brooding Frog, Southern Platypus Frog)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
- ↑ Jean-Marc Hero; Keith McDonald; Ross Alford; Michael Cunningham; Richard Retallick (2004). "heobatrachus vitellinus (Eungella Gastric-brooding Frog, Northern Gastric Brooding Frog)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
- ↑ Jean-Marc Hero; Keith McDonald; Michael Cunningham; Ross Alford; Richard Retallick (2004). "Taudactylus acutirostris (Sharp Snouted Day Frog)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
- ↑ Jean-Marc Hero; Sarah May; David Newell; Harry Hines; John Clarke; Ed Meyer (2004). "Taudactylus diurnus (Mount Glorious Day Frog, Mount Glorious Torrent Frog, Southern Day Frog)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
- ↑ John Woinarski, Don Driscoll and Hal Cogger, Vale ‘Gump’, the last known Christmas Island Forest Skink, The Conversation, 8 August 2014. Retrieved 6 December, 2015.
- ↑ Australasian Mammal Assessment Workshop (2008). "Caloprymnus campestris (Buff-nosed Rat-kangaroo, Desert Rat Kangaroo, Plains Rat-kangaroo)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ↑ Burbidge, A.; Dickman, C. & Johnson, K. (2008). "Chaeropus ecaudatus (Pig-footed Bandicoot)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ↑ Baillie, J.E.M. (2008). "Conilurus albipes (Rabbit-eared Tree-rat, White-footed Rabbit-rat, White-footed Rabbit Rat, White-footed Tree-rat)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ↑ Burbidge, A. & Johnson, K. (2008). "Lagorchestes asomatus (Central Hare-wallaby, Central Hare Wallaby, Least Hare-wallaby, Least Hare Wallaby)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ↑ Australasian Mammal Assessment Workshop (2008). "Lagorchestes leporides (Eastern Hare-wallaby, Eastern Hare Wallaby)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ↑ "Lagostrophus fasciatus albipilis — Banded Hare-wallaby (mainland)". http://www.environment.gov.au. Australian Government Department of Environment. Retrieved 1 July 2015. External link in
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(help) - ↑ "Macropus eugenii eugenii — Tammar Wallaby (South Australia)". http://www.environment.gov.au. Australian Government Department of Environment. Retrieved 17 September 2015. External link in
|website=
(help) - ↑ Australasian Mammal Assessment Workshop (2008). "Macropus greyi (Toolache Wallaby)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ↑ Burbidge, A.; Johnson, K. & Dickman, C. (2008). "Macrotis leucura (Lesser Bilby, Lesser Rabbit-eared Bandicoot, White-tailed Rabbit-eared Bandicoot, Yallara)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ↑ Australasian Mammal Assessment Workshop (2008). "Macropus greyi (Toolache Wallaby)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ↑ Australasian Mammal Assessment Workshop (2008). "Macropus greyi (Toolache Wallaby)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ↑ Slezak, Michael (14 June 2016). "Revealed: first mammal species wiped out by human-induced climate change". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
- ↑ Morris, K. & Burbidge, A. (2008). "Notomys macrotis (Big-eared Hopping-mouse, Big-eared Hopping Mouse)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ↑ Baillie, J.E.M. (2008). "Notomys mordax (Darling Downs Hopping Mouse)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ↑ Burbidge, A. & Johnson, K. (2008). "Onychogalea lunata (Crescent Nail-tailed Wallaby, Crescent Nailtail Wallaby, Wurrung)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ↑ "Perameles bougainville fasciata — Western Barred Bandicoot (mainland)". http://www.environment.gov.au. Australian Government Department of Environment. Retrieved 1 July 2015. External link in
|website=
(help) - ↑ Burbidge, A.; Johnson, K. & Aplin, K. (2008). "Perameles eremiana (Desert Bandicoot)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ↑ Australasian Mammal Assessment Workshop (2008). "Potorous platyops (Broad-faced Potoroo)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ↑ Lamoreux, J. (2008). "Pseudomys glaucus (Blue-gray Mouse, Blue-grey Mouse)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ↑ Baillie, J.E.M. (2008). "Pseudomys gouldii (Gould's Mouse)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ↑ Richards, G. & Hall, L. (2008). "Pteropus brunneus (Dusky Flying Fox, Percy Island Flying Fox)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ↑ Lamoreux, J. (2009). "Rattus macleari (Maclear's Rat)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ↑ Lamoreux, J. (2009). "Rattus nativitatis (Bulldog Rat)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ↑ McKnight, M. (2008). "Thylacinus cynocephalus (Tasmanian Tiger, Tasmanian Wolf, Thylacine)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ↑ Lumsden, L. & Schulz, M. (2008). "Crocidura trichura (Christmas Island Shrew)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
- ↑ Robinson, T. & Burbidge, A. (2008). "Leporillus apicalis (Lesser Stick-nest Rat, White-tipped Stick-nest Rat)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ↑ Lumsden, L.; Racey, P.A. & Hutson, A.M. (2010). "Pipistrellus murrayi (Christmas Island Pipistrelle)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
- ↑ http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/21996/all
- ↑ http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/1292/all
- ↑ Ponder W. F. (1996). "Placostylus bivaricosus ssp. etheridgei". In: IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.3. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 29 September 2010.
- Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. EPBC Act List of Threatened Fauna
- World Conservation Union, IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2006