Eastern long-beaked echidna

The Barton - long -beaked echidna ( Zaglossus Bartoni ), also known as the Eastern long -beaked echidna is one of three types of long -beaked echidna of the genus Zaglossus that are endemic to the island of New Guinea. This species is found mainly in Papua New Guinea at altitudes between 2000 and 3000 m.

Features

It differs from the other species of this genus by the number of claws on the front and rear paws; he has five claws on the front and four claws on the hind feet. The weight varies between 5 and 10 kg, body length between 60 and 100 cm. The Barton - long -beaked echidna has no tail and has thick black fur. This species is the largest of all monotremes. In defense she curls up into a spiny ball.

Subspecies

Four subspecies are recognized:

• Z. Bartoni Bartoni
• Z. Bartoni clunius
• Z. Bartoni diamondi
• Z. Bartoni smeenki

The population of each subspecies is geographically isolated. The individual types differ mainly by their size in the adult stage.

Threat and protective measures

The Barton - long -beaked echidna is listed by the World Conservation Union IUCN Red List of threatened species as threatened with extinction ( Critically Endangered ).

As protection from international trade is the way out as all the species in Appendix II of the CITES Convention CITES. This measure is further transported at European level, No 338/ 97 and EC Regulation 407/2009 led by the species listed in Annex B of the EU Wildlife Trade Regulation ( EC).

Swell

• Groves, Colin (16 November 2005). in Wilson, DE, and Reeder, DM ( eds ): Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition, Johns Hopkins University Press, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 1.
• Tim F. Flannery and Colin P. Groves: A revision of the genus Zaglossus ( monotremes, Tachyglossidae ), with description of new species and subspecies. Mammalia 62 (3): 367-396, 1998 ( online version with first description of the subspecies of Barton - Langschnabel Hedgehog PDF, English, 1.8 MB. )