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7/28/2019 Year 10 Science_Assignment
1/4
Dominic Chan
Year 10 Assignment
Australias Extinct Megafauna
Marsupial Lion (Thylacoleo)
What was it?
Thylacoleo was the largest Australian carnivorous mammal known. Its limbs were adapted to
running and clawed forelimbs could have been used to bring food to its mouth. It is also evidenced
to have adapted to tree climbing with a pseudo-opposable thumb. Its skull was wide, heavy and
short snouted with a bony bar. The Marsupial Lion also had large serrated upper incisors and
horizontally orientated lower incisors. Its weight has been estimated to range from 90-160
kilograms. Its length has also been estimated to range from 1.5-1.8 meters.
Who are its closest relatives?
The marsupial lions closet living relatives according to DNA testing are wombats. The smaller but
still an adequate hunter, Wakaleo was a relative of the Thylacoleo that is now extinct as well; its
teeth were designed for stabbing and cutting.
When did it live?
The Thylacoleo is thought to have lived around 1 600 000 to 40 000 years ago. Its habitat as
suggested by the locations of fossils was dry open forests.
Why is it extinct?
There are many possible reasons why the Marsupial lion died out. The extinction of mega herbivores
most likely had somewhat of an impact, however the influence of Aborigines shaping the
environment through fire would also have had an influence on the extinction of the Thylacoleo and
other Megafauna.
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Dominic Chan
Diprotrodon
What was it?
The Diprotrodon was a giant hippopotamus sized marsupial, the largest marsupial ever. Resembling
a hornless rhino it had a lightly built skull that was as thin as an eggshell in certain places. Its feet
were also unusual in that fossils show that it walked with its hind feet facing inwards slightly. The
front feet had strong claws and so it was able to ate roots. It was covered with fur, shown in some
footprints which have been found. Some of the largest fossils found spanned 3 meters lengthwise
and 2 meters tall at the shoulder. It is estimated to have weighed up to three tonnes.
Who are its closest relatives?
Its closet living relatives are wombats and koalas.
When did it live?
It is thought to have lived from around 1 600 000 to 40 000 years ago. Its habitat was close to water
and woodlands or forests.
Why is it extinct?
There are many theories why it became extinct, including climate change, hunting by humans and
change to the environment by humans. The most likely cause is a combination of all reasons each
adding up and killing off the Diprotrodons.
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Dominic Chan
Marsupial Tapir (Palorchestes)
What was it?
The Palorchestes was a large herbivore with a narrow skull, powerful legs and long claws. It had a
small trunk and a long tongue. Its teeth, which from it was first identified by , are large and high
crowned, complete with well developed hindlinks.
Who are its closest relatives?
It is a relative of the Diprotrodon and living relatives include the Wombat and Koala.
When did it live?
It lived in the Pleistocene epoch and its habitat was thought to have been near a marsh or a shallow
lake surrounded by eucalypt woodland.
Why is it extinct?
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Dominic Chan
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http://australianmuseum.net.au/Thylacoleo-carnifex
http://www.abc.net.au/science/ausbeasts/factfiles/pleistocenemarsupiallion.htm
http://www.abc.net.au/science/ausbeasts/factfiles/diprotodon.htmhttp://museumvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/discoverycentre/600-million-
years/timeline/quaternary/diprotodon/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/3040.shtml
http://museumvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/discoverycentre/600-million-
years/timeline/quaternary/palorchestes/
http://australianmuseum.net.au/Palorchestes-azeal
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