Biology:Nimbadon
Nimbadon is an extinct genus of marsupial, that lived from the Oligocene to the Miocene.[1] Many fossils have been found in the Riversleigh World Heritage property in north-western Queensland. It is thought to have an arboreal lifestyle.[2]
In 1990, skulls were unearthed in a previously unknown cave in the region. Researchers estimate that the first species of Nimbadon first appeared around 25 million years ago[1] and went extinct around 12 million years ago, perhaps from climate change-induced habitat loss.
Description
Nimbadon lavarackorum is described as being koala-like. It is known from as many as 24 well-articulated specimens. The species was a tree-dweller, mainly feeding on stems and leaves. The feet and claws were large, being superficially similar to those of the koala. They retracted their claws when walking.[3]
Phylogeny
While originally classified as a member of the family Diprotodontidae, a primarily terrestrial group,[1][2] some later studies suggested a more basal position within the Diprotodontoidea.[4]
Palaeoecology
N. lavarackorum was an arboreal frugivore that primarily fed on C3 fruits.[5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedHand1993 - ↑ 2.0 2.1 Black, Karen H.; Camens, Aaron B.; Archer, Michael; Hand, Suzanne J. (2012-11-21). Evans, Alistair Robert. ed. "Herds Overhead: Nimbadon lavarackorum (Diprotodontidae), Heavyweight Marsupial Herbivores in the Miocene Forests of Australia" (in en). PLOS ONE 7 (11). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0048213. ISSN 1932-6203. PMID 23185250. Bibcode: 2012PLoSO...748213B.
- ↑ Ancient tree-wombat behaved like a koala - By Anna Salleh - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - Retrieved 22 November 2012.
- ↑ Beck, Robin M. D.; Louys, Julien; Brewer, Philippa; Archer, Michael; Black, Karen H.; Tedford, Richard H. (2020-06-25). "A new family of diprotodontian marsupials from the latest Oligocene of Australia and the evolution of wombats, koalas, and their relatives (Vombatiformes)" (in en). Scientific Reports 10 (1): 9741. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-66425-8. ISSN 2045-2322. PMID 32587406. Bibcode: 2020NatSR..10.9741B.
- ↑ DeSantis, Larisa R. G.; Archer, Michael; Black, Karen; Hand, Suzanne; Korasidis, Vera (2 October 2023). "Tree-climbing in search of fruit: an ancient arboreal marsupial megafrugivore from the Miocene of Australia" (in en). Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology 47 (4): 534–542. doi:10.1080/03115518.2023.2268680. ISSN 0311-5518. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03115518.2023.2268680. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
External links
- Australias lost kingdoms, Nimbodon.
- Black K. H. and Hand. S 2010., Nimbadon crania and species boundaries, American Museum novitates, no. 3678
- KAREN H. BLACK,* MICHAEL ARCHER, SUZANNE J. HAND, and HENK GODTHELP FIRST COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF CRANIAL ONTOGENY IN A FOSSIL MARSUPIAL—FROM A 15-MILLION-YEAR-OLD CAVE DEPOSIT IN NORTHERN AUSTRALIA
- "Cave yields marsupial fossil haul". BBC News. 2010-07-19.
- "Giant tree wombat discovery wins science prize" ABC News 2012-05-03
Template:Vombatiformes Wikidata ☰ Q581020 entry
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