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Two 'Extinct' Marsupials Rediscovered After 6,000 Years
5 Mar
Summary
- Two marsupial species thought extinct for 6,000 years were found alive.
- One species is a pygmy long-fingered possum, the other a ring-tailed glider.
- The discoveries were made in the remote rainforests of West Papua.
Researchers have announced the extraordinary rediscovery of two marsupial species thought to have vanished 6,000 years ago. These charismatic creatures, known as 'Lazarus taxa,' were found alive in the dense rainforests of West Papua.
The identified species include the pygmy long-fingered possum, notable for its exceptionally long fourth digit used for feeding, and the ring-tailed glider, a relative of the Australian greater glider. The latter has been classified into a new genus, a significant taxonomic event not seen for New Guinean marsupials since 1937.
Biologist Tim Flannery, leading the research, described the finding of two such species as "unprecedented and groundbreaking." The discoveries, detailed in a publication by the Australian Museum, were made possible through photographic evidence, fossil fragments, and a misidentified museum specimen.
The species inhabit the lowland mountain forests of the Vogelkop peninsula. Flannery's ongoing work with local Indigenous elders and conservation groups aims to protect these threatened habitats, underscoring the critical need for environmental preservation in the region.
