Biology:Nimbadon
| Nimbadon | |
|---|---|
| |
| Composite N. lavarackorum skeleton from the Riversleigh site | |
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| N. lavarackorum mother and juvenile (reconstruction) by Peter Schouten | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Infraclass: | Marsupialia |
| Order: | Diprotodontia |
| Superfamily: | †Diprotodontoidea |
| Genus: | †Nimbadon Hand, Archer, Godthelp, Rich & Pledge, 1993.[1] |
| Species | |
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†Nimbadon lavarackorum | |
Nimbadon is an extinct genus of marsupial, that lived from the Late Oligocene to the Miocene epoches.[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 about 25 million years ago[1] and died out about 12 million years ago, perhaps from climate change-induced habitat loss.
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]
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]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Hand, S.J.; Archer, M.; Godthelp, H.; Rich, T.H.; Pledge, N.S. (1993). "Nimbadon, a new genus and three new species of Tertiary zygomaturines (Marsupialia: Diprotodontidae) from northern Australia, with a reassessment of Neohelos". Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 33: 193–210. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/part/71096.
- ↑ 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): e48213. 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.
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
Wikidata ☰ Q581020 entry
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