Antechinus /æntɪˈkaɪnəs/ ('ant-echinus') is a genus of small dasyurid marsupial indigenous to mainland Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea. They resemble mice with the bristly fur of shrews. The majority of Antechinus species occur in Australia and only two species have been described in New Guinea. They are sometimes also called broad-footed marsupial mice, pouched mice, route rat and/or antechinus shrews. However, these common names are considered either