planigale

plural planigales

1. Any species of the genus Planigale of small insectivorous marsupials endemic to Australia and New Guinea.

   Dunnarts in turn compete with smaller native mammals, such as ningauis and planigales.

   2013, Astrid Judge, Plant and Animal Conservation, page 12

   2 more examples

   The kowari (Dasyuroides byrnei) might pass for a kangaroo rat, except for being about half the size, and the pygmy planigale (Planigale maculata) looks very much like a house mouse (Mus musculus), but smaller.

   2006, Michael Allaby, Tropical Forests, page 156

   The two main contenders^([for smallest marsupial]) are the rare long-tailed planigale (Planigale ingrami), a flat-skulled shrew-like creature found in northern Australia, and the rather similar pilbara ningaui (Ningaui timealeyi) from northwestern Australia.

   2008, Mark Carwardine, Animal Records, page 79