Australia’s most diverse marsupial predators have been hiding their origins for millions of years
Researchers have identified a new species of ancient marsupial, Miyumba chrisdickmani, which pushes back the fossil record of dasyurids by five million years. This discovery provides critical insights into the evolutionary origins of Australia's diverse carnivorous marsupials.
Why it matters
It resolves a long-standing scientific debate regarding the evolutionary timeline and primitive characteristics of the dasyurid family.
Artist reconstruction of Miyumba chrisdickmani . Neville Garden Australia’s most diverse marsupial predators have been hiding their origins for millions of years Published: July 16, 2026 9:25pm EDT https://theconversation.com/australias-most-diverse-marsupial-predators-have-been-hiding-their-origins-for-millions-of-years-287296 https://theconversation.com/australias-most-diverse-marsupial-predators-have-been-hiding-their-origins-for-millions-of-years-287296 Link copied Share article Share article
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When you think of carnivorous marsupials, you probably picture the Tasmanian devil or perhaps a spotted-tailed quoll. But these famous predators are only the largest members of a remarkable family of marsupials called dasyurids.
Today the dasyurid family contains almost 80 living species. Some live in trees, others in deserts. Some eat insects and weigh only a few grams , while others can weigh up to 14 kilograms and feast on wombats and wallabies. Together they occupy habitats stretching from New Guinea’s tropical rainforests to Australia’s deserts and alpine woodlands.
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