The three new species are of the extinct genus Protemnodon, which lived from around 5 million to 40,000 years ago. One of the newly discovered species is about double the size of the largest red kangaroo living today. The researchers from Flinders University made these discoveries.
The study conducted by Flinders University revealed three new species of the extinct genus Protemnodon, which existed from approximately 5 million to 40,000 years ago. One of these species was found to be approximately twice the size of today’s largest red kangaroo.
The discovery of complete fossil kangaroo skeletons in Lake Callabonna, located in arid South Australia, in 2013, 2018, and 2019, played a crucial role in this research. These well-preserved fossils provided Dr. Isaac Kerr, the lead researcher at the time, with the opportunity to finally solve the mystery surrounding the various species of Protemnodon that had puzzled scientists for nearly 150 years.
The extensive Flinders University study thoroughly examined all species of Prot.emnodon, a study found that they were quite different from one another. The species adapted to live in differing environments and even hopped in different ways. Protemnodon would have looked something like a grey kangaroo, but were generally more squat and muscular. While some species were around 50 kg, others were much larger than any living kangaroo. However, one new species named as part of the latest study — named Protemnodon viator — was much bigger, weighing up to 170 kg. This is about twice as much as the largest male red kangaroos. Protemnodon viator was well-adapted to its arid centralThe viator, a type of long-limbed kangaroo, lived in similar areas to the red kangaroos of today and was able to hop quickly and efficiently. Its name comes from the Latin word for ‘traveller’ or ‘wayfarer.’ Australian researchers have also discovered two new species, Protemnodon mamkurra and Protemnodon dawsonae, while revisiting the work of earlier researchers, including British naturalist Sir Richard Owen, who is credited with coining the term ‘dinosaur’ in Victorian England. The first species of Protemnodon were initially described by Owen in 1874.The previous approach at the time focused primarily on fossil teeth, but Dr. Kerr took a different approach and noticed subtle differences between the teeth of his specimens. He identified and described six species of Protemnodon. Subsequent studies have challenged some of these early descriptions, but the new study from Flinders University supports one of his species, Protemnodon anak. The first specimen described, known as the holotype, is still housed at the Natural History Museum in London. Dr. Kerr’s study also suggests that only three or four species of Protemnodon were quadrupedal, contrary to previous suggestions.A new species of Protemnodon, which may have moved similarly to a quokka or potoroo – bounding on four legs at times, and hopping on two legs at others. “The newly described Protemnodon mamkurra is likely one of these. A large but thick-boned and robust kangaroo, it was probably fairly slow-moving and inefficient. It may have hopped only rarely, perhaps just when startled.” Dr Kerr says the best fossils of this species come from Green Waterhole Cave in southeastern South Australia, on the land of the Boandik people. The species name, mamkurra, was chosen by Boandik elders and language experts in the BurrandiesCorporation. This translates to ‘great kangaroo’.
Having a single genus of kangaroo living in such diverse environments is uncommon, according to the expert. “For instance, the various species of Protemnodon are now known to have inhabited a wide range of habitats, from the dry central areas of Australia to the heavily forested mountains of Tasmania and New Guinea.”
The third new species, Protemnodon dawsonae, is known from fewer fossils than the others and remains more of a mystery. It was likely a medium-paced hopper, similar to a swamp wallaby.
It was named to commemorate the research.Australian paleontologist Dr. Lyndall Dawson conducted research on kangaroo systematics and the fossil material found in the ‘Big Sink’ section of the Wellington Caves in NSW, where the species is primarily found. In order to gather data for the study, Dr. Kerr visited 14 museums in four different countries and extensively studied nearly all specimens of Protemnodon. Over 800 specimens from Australia and New Guinea were photographed and 3D-scanned, with measurements taken and comparisons made. This extensive undertaking took five years to complete, but the results are finally out in the world.
There is a research project consisting of 261 pages and more than 100,000 words. The hope is that this research will lead to more studies on Protemnodon in order to gain a better understanding of the activities of these kangaroos.
It is truly fascinating to imagine the activities of these giant kangaroos, considering how remarkable living kangaroos already are.
Although Protemnodon fossils are quite common throughout Australia, they have typically been found in an ‘isolated’ manner, as individual bones without the full skeleton. This has made it challenging for paleontologists to study Protemnodon in the past and has made it difficult to determine the number of species that exist.How can you distinguish between the two species, and what were the differences in their size, range, movement, and ability to adapt to their environments?
Around 40,000 years ago, all Protemnodon had become extinct on the mainland of Australia, though they may have persisted for a while longer in New Guinea and Tasmania. Despite their varying sizes, adaptations, habitats, and ranges, these animals went extinct.
Interestingly, similar and closely related animals like wallaroos and grey kangaroos did not suffer the same fate. This study may help to shed light on this mystery as further research is conducted.
“It’s fantastic to see the potential for further insights into this topic.Flinders Professor Gavin Prideaux, a co-author of a new article in Megataxa, mentioned the importance of identifying the species of Protemnodon. He explained that fossils of this genus are widespread and commonly found, but it is often difficult to determine the exact species. This study aims to provide clarity and confidence to researchers when working with Protemnodon. The journal reference for this article is by Isaac AR Kerr, Aaron B Camens, Jacob D van Zoelen, Trevor H Worthy and Gavin J Prideaux, titled “Systematics and palaeobiology.”The article titled ‘A new species of kangaroos of the late Cenozoic genus Protemnodon (Marsupialia, Macropodidae)’ can be found in Megataxa, 2024. The DOI for the article is 10.11646/megataxa.11.1.1.