About Antechinus minimus (É.Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1803)
Common and Scientific Name
The swamp antechinus, scientifically named Antechinus minimus, is also commonly called the little Tasmanian marsupial mouse.
Taxonomic Classification
It is a shrew-like marsupial species belonging to the family Dasyuridae, and is related to dunnarts, quolls, and the Tasmanian devil.
Subspecies Overview
This species has two recorded subspecies with distinct ranges.
Antechinus minimus maritimus Range
The subspecies Antechinus minimus maritimus inhabits the southern central highlands, Wimmera, and Alpine regions of Victoria, Australia, as well as the extreme far south of South Australia around Mount Gambier.
Nominate Subspecies Range
The nominate subspecies, Antechinus minimus minimus, is found across Tasmania, including Sunday Island, King Island, and Flinders Island.
Habitat Types
All subspecies of Antechinus minimus occupy the same set of habitat types: closed heath, wet dense heath, open forest, open heath, swampy drainages, and tussock grassland that supports growth of bracken and sedge.
