What is "bettong"

Bettong \Bet"tong\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.) A small, leaping Australian marsupial of the genus Bettongia; the jerboa kangaroo.

n. Any marsupial of the genus Bettongia, closely related to kangaroos.

n. short-nosed rat kangaroo

The bettongs are species of the genus Bettongia, sometimes referred to as rat-kangaroos. Four extant species are recognised:

• Eastern bettong, Bettongia gaimardi, also known as the Tasmanian bettong
• Boodie, Bettongia lesueur
• Woylie, Bettongia penicillata
• Northern bettong, Bettongia tropica

In addition, at least two extinct species are known:

• Bettongia moyesi, Middle Miocene bettong from Riversleigh
• Nullarbor dwarf bettong, †Bettongia pusilla, known only from the fossil record

The rufous rat-kangaroo (Aepyprymnus rufescens) is sometimes referred to as a bettong (rufous bettong), but this is not strictly correct.