Zygomaturus

Zygomaturus; Temporal range: Late Miocene–Late Pleistocene PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
	Skeletal mount of Zygomaturus trilobus at the Melbourne Museum
	Restoration of Z. trilobus
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Infraclass:	Marsupialia
Order:	Diprotodontia
Family:	†Diprotodontidae
Subfamily:	†Zygomaturinae
Genus:	†Zygomaturus; Macleay, 1857
Species
	†Zygomaturus diahotensis; †Zygomaturus gilli; (Nomen dubium); †Zygomaturus tasmanicus; †Zygomaturus trilobus;

Zygomaturus^[2] is an extinct genus of giant marsupial belonging to the family Diprotodontidae which inhabited Australia from the Late Miocene to Late Pleistocene.

Description[edit]

It was a large animal, weighing 500 kg (1100 lbs) or over 700 kg (1544 lbs)^[3] and standing about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) tall and 2.5 m (8.2 ft) long.^[4] As in other large marsupials, the sinuses within the skull are very large, likely to reduce weight.^[5]

Palaeobiology[edit]

In an analysis of remains from Cuddie Springs, the carbon isotope ratios suggests that it consumed both C₃ and C₄ plants, with a dental microwear texture indicative of browsing.^[6] Preserved remains suggest that Zygomaturus was widely distributed over Australia during the Pleistocene.^[7]

Evolution and extinction[edit]

The earliest members of the genus such as Zygomaturus gilli appeared during the Late Miocene, around 8 million years ago.^[8] It is thought that the youngest species, Zygomaturus trilobus became extinct during the latter half of the Late Pleistocene, with typical estimates being about 45,000 years ago, around the time of Aboriginal arrival in Australia.^[9] A surprisingly late date between 33.3 ±3.7 Kya and 36.7 ±5.1 Kya was reported in 2017 from the Willandra Lakes Region in New South Wales, which if correct would represent the latest known date for any Australian Megafauna.^[10]

Related genera[edit]

Neohelos
Kolopsis

References[edit]

^ van Zoelen, J. D.; Camens, A. B.; Worthy, T. H.; Prideaux, G. J. (2023). "Description of the Pliocene marsupial Ambulator keanei gen. nov. (Marsupialia: Diprotodontidae) from inland Australia and its locomotory adaptations". Royal Society Open Science. 10 (5). doi:10.1098/rsos.230211. PMC 10230189.
^ Literal translation "Big cheekbones"
^ Peter F. Murray, Patricia Vickers-Rich, 2004, Magnificent Mihirungs: The Colossal Flightless Birds of the Australian Dreamtime, p.326, Indiana University Press
^ "Zygomaturus trilobus".
^ Alana C. Sharp (2014) Sinus and brain size in marsupial megafauna: a case of giant airheads
^ DeSantis, Larisa R. G.; Field, Judith H.; Wroe, Stephen; Dodson, John R. (May 2017). "Dietary responses of Sahul (Pleistocene Australia–New Guinea) megafauna to climate and environmental change". Paleobiology. 43 (2): 181–195. doi:10.1017/pab.2016.50. ISSN 0094-8373.
^ Webb, Steve (August 2008). "Megafauna demography and late Quaternary climatic change in Australia: A predisposition to extinction". Boreas. 37 (3): 329–345. doi:10.1111/j.1502-3885.2008.00026.x. S2CID 19561004.
^ Megirian, Dirk; Prideaux, Gavin J.; Murray, Peter F.; Smit, Neil (2010). "An Australian land mammal age biochronological scheme". Paleobiology. 36 (4): 658–671. doi:10.1666/09047.1. ISSN 0094-8373. S2CID 55376525.
^ Ellis, Richard (2004). No Turning Back: The Life and Death of Animal Species. New York: Harper Perennial. pp. 101. ISBN 0-06-055804-0.
^ Westaway, Michael C.; Olley, Jon; Grün, Rainer (February 2017). "At least 17,000 years of coexistence: Modern humans and megafauna at the Willandra Lakes, South-Eastern Australia". Quaternary Science Reviews. 157: 206–211. doi:10.1016/j.quascirev.2016.11.031.

External links[edit]

[van_Zoelen2023-1] van Zoelen, J. D.; Camens, A. B.; Worthy, T. H.; Prideaux, G. J. (2023). "Description of the Pliocene marsupial Ambulator keanei gen. nov. (Marsupialia: Diprotodontidae) from inland Australia and its locomotory adaptations". Royal Society Open Science. 10 (5). doi:10.1098/rsos.230211. PMC 10230189.

[2] Literal translation "Big cheekbones"

[3] Peter F. Murray, Patricia Vickers-Rich, 2004, Magnificent Mihirungs: The Colossal Flightless Birds of the Australian Dreamtime, p.326, Indiana University Press

[4] "Zygomaturus trilobus".

[5] Alana C. Sharp (2014) Sinus and brain size in marsupial megafauna: a case of giant airheads

[6] DeSantis, Larisa R. G.; Field, Judith H.; Wroe, Stephen; Dodson, John R. (May 2017). "Dietary responses of Sahul (Pleistocene Australia–New Guinea) megafauna to climate and environmental change". Paleobiology. 43 (2): 181–195. doi:10.1017/pab.2016.50. ISSN 0094-8373.

[7] Webb, Steve (August 2008). "Megafauna demography and late Quaternary climatic change in Australia: A predisposition to extinction". Boreas. 37 (3): 329–345. doi:10.1111/j.1502-3885.2008.00026.x. S2CID 19561004.

[8] Megirian, Dirk; Prideaux, Gavin J.; Murray, Peter F.; Smit, Neil (2010). "An Australian land mammal age biochronological scheme". Paleobiology. 36 (4): 658–671. doi:10.1666/09047.1. ISSN 0094-8373. S2CID 55376525.

[EllisNTB-9] Ellis, Richard (2004). No Turning Back: The Life and Death of Animal Species. New York: Harper Perennial. pp. 101. ISBN 0-06-055804-0.

[10] Westaway, Michael C.; Olley, Jon; Grün, Rainer (February 2017). "At least 17,000 years of coexistence: Modern humans and megafauna at the Willandra Lakes, South-Eastern Australia". Quaternary Science Reviews. 157: 206–211. doi:10.1016/j.quascirev.2016.11.031.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]