From Martin Armstrong
Dunnart week anybody? I follow the Kakadu Dunnart with the most common of the northern NT (and Kimberley) dunnarts, the Red-cheeked Dunnart (Sminthopsis virginiae nitela). Currently classified as one of 3 sub-specific forms, recent DNA work (2024) suggests the NT-Kimberley form is likely to be re- described as a separate species (by convention it should become S. nitela). I prefer S. nutella - much easier to remember. There may also be a split between the Qld & NG forms (also currently regarded as subspecies). They're all gorgeous but this isn't included as taxonomic criteria.
These are cute little guys.
The wiki is kinda sparse for them, but it did have this bit of trivia:
A male dunnart's Y chromosome is the smallest known mammalian Y chromosome.
