A new species of hopping-mouse, Notomys robustus sp. Nov. (Rodentia : Muridae), from cave deposits in the Flinders and Davenport Ranges, South Australia

Abstract

Notomys robustus sp. nov. is described from skulls found in whole and decomposed owl pellets from caves at Chambers Gorge in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia. The holotype was contained within a complete owl pellet, as were several paratypes. The species is distinguished by the unique conformation of the cusps of the upper first molar teeth. In adults, the anterodorsal region of the zygomatic arch is much wider than in any known species of Notomys. Since the original discoveries were made in 1976, the species has been found in more sites in the Flinders Ranges and at one other site near Mount Margaret in the Davenport Range, some 350 km northwest of the nearest Flinders Ranges site.