Millennia-Old Marsupial Rediscovered in New Guinea; Researchers Uncover New Glider Genus Tous
TL;DR
Researchers in Australia and Papua New Guinea report the pygmy long-fingered possum (Dactylonax kambuayai) alive after about 6,000 years on New Guinea’s Vogelkop Peninsula, and describe a previously unknown marsupial-glider genus Tous (including Tous ayamaruensis). The findings, linked to Lazarus taxa, rely on rare living specimens and fossil records, and highlight conservation concerns as rainforest habitat faces logging threats.
Topics:worldscience#lazarus-taxa#new-guinea#pygmy-long-fingered-possum#science#tous-genus#vogelkop-peninsula
- Weird-Looking Marsupial Found Alive After 6,000 Years of Alleged ‘Extinction’ Gizmodo
- Tiny possum and glider thought extinct for 6,000 years found in remote West Papua BBC
- Marsupials previously thought extinct for millennia discovered in New Guinea The Guardian
- 2 'Lazarus' animals thought to be extinct for over 7,000 years found alive in New Guinea NBC News
- Two marsupials believed extinct for 6000 years found alive New Scientist
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