Scientists just discovered a lost branch of Australia’s marsupials
Scientists have identified a new, potentially ancient branch of the marsupial family tree in Australia. This discovery suggests that the evolutionary history of Australian marsupials is more complex than previously thought.
Why it matters
This finding fills a significant gap in the fossil record and changes the scientific understanding of mammalian evolution.
A newly identified branch of the marsupial family tree is adding a surprising twist to the history of Australia's most distinctive mammals. The finding suggests that their evolution was more complicated, and more mysterious, than scientists previously understood.
Marsupials first reached Australia more than 55 million years ago. Since then, they have spread into an astonishing range of habitats and lifestyles. Today, they include about 160 species, from High Country animals (thumb-sized possums that sleep through the winter), to desert specialists in the Red Center, including tiny moles with pink fur and no eyes that spend their lives underground.
Yet despite their success, scientists still do not fully understand how marsupials diversified across Australia. Major gaps in the fossil record have left long stretches of their early history almost invisible.
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