Queensland researchers have discovered two new species of a rare Australian marsupial known for its deadly mating habits.

The antechinus, a mouse-like marsupial, has stolen headlines over the years for its bizarre mating frenzies that are so intense, the males die soon afterwards.

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Now, two new species of the mammal have been discovered living in Australia's south-east.

Researchers are applying to both the Queensland and Tasmanian Governments to have several species of antechinus listed as endangered, before the populations disappear.

Competitive suitor's date with death

QUT mammalogist Dr Andrew Baker said for a few weeks a year, the testosterone-fuelled male antechinus competed ferociously with one another to have sex with as many females as possible, in marathon sessions lasting up to 14 hours at a time.

Dr Baker likened the antechinus' behaviour to that exhibited by characters on US television show Game of Thrones.

"It's just this absolutely primal urge," he said.

"There's orgies of violence and sex and, in antechinus, it happens every year."

After a few weeks of copulation, the rise in stress hormones causes the male's immune system to collapse, with the result far from a happy ending.

"They'll bleed internally, they have ulcers, their fur falls off in patches, sometimes they're stumbling around blind and still trying to mate," Dr Baker said.

The annual deaths of the males essentially halves the antechinus population, presenting a challenge for researchers like PhD student Thomas Mutton, who are trying to conserve the species.

"You kind of get to know some of them and then the males don't even get to live a year, they only live about 11 months before they all die," Mr Mutton said.

"It's kind of sad.

"I think their sex life is quite interesting to humans, it's certainly a bit different to how we do it."

Dr Baker said two new species discovered were the Tasman Peninsula dusky antechinus (Antechinus vandycki), found near Port Arthur in Tasmania, and the mainland dusky antechinus (Antechinus swainsonii mimetes), found throughout south-eastern Australia.

He said the Tasman Peninsula dusky antechinus was at risk of losing its habitat.

"I suspect it's been isolated on the Tasman Peninsula for perhaps millions of years and this rare species is just sitting down there as we speak, in the middle of a small state forest that's being logged," he said.

"Its precious old-growth forest habitat is rapidly being removed."

The mainland dusky antechinus is found in south-eastern Australia. ( Queensland Museum: Gary Cranitch )

Newly discovered species under threat

QUT scientists now believe five of the 15 known species of antechinus are under threat of extinction from climate change, feral pests and habitat loss.

"It rings alarm bells because while it's exciting we're finding new mammal species, at the same time we might lose some of them almost as soon as they are discovered," Dr Baker said.

"Who knows how many species we are losing right now that we will never discover."

The researchers are applying to the Tasmanian and Queensland Governments to have several of the new species listed as threatened, including the new Tasman Peninsula dusky antechinus.

"The priority here is that they get listed at state level, then we can apply for federal listing, and when we get federal listing the process of protection is much more stringent," Dr Baker said.

"The people involved in this process are working really hard but there's so much government red tape.

"These hold ups mean the listing process takes years."

He said some of the new species face the threat of being wiped out by a fire or land clearing before they are listed for protection.

"The risk is that these animals may disappear very rapidly," he said.

"For the rarest species, there may only be hundreds of individuals or less."

Mr Mutton said it was critical the antechinus was protected.

"It's very possible some of these beautiful species could go extinct," he said.

"There are many species at risk in Australia and it's really something I think as a society we need to think about more deeply."

The team's latest discoveries have been published in the peer-reviewed journal Memoirs of the Queensland Museum - Nature.

The researchers are seeking extra funding to conduct more critical research on the threatened species and prioritise measures that could help protect them.