Nimbadon
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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
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- ↑ Ancient tree-wombat behaved like a koala - By Anna Salleh - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - Retrieved 22 November 2012.
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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
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