Rockhampton, Queensland – A recent study conducted by Australian researchers has shed new light on the behavior of prehistoric giant kangaroos known as Protemnodon, which inhabited the Australian continent between 5 million and 40,000 years ago. These ancient kangaroos, significantly larger than their modern counterparts, were found to have surprisingly small ranges compared to other kangaroo species.
University of Wollongong palaeo-ecologist Chris Laurikainen Gaete, co-author of the study published in Plos One, revealed that despite their immense size, Protemnodon individuals from a site near Mt Etna in Queensland kept to close quarters, living and dying near the limestone caves where their remains were discovered. The analysis of fossil teeth at the site indicated that these giant kangaroos were “real homebodies”, staying within a confined area.
Dr. Scott Hocknull, a vertebrate palaeontologist and senior curator at the Queensland Museum, explained that the restricted range of the Protemnodon population near Mt Etna increased their risk of extinction in the face of changing environmental conditions. The study suggested that the stable environment provided by the rainforest and the protection offered by the caves may have initially benefitted these ancient kangaroos.
According to Dr. Isaac Kerr from Flinders University, Protemnodon fossils found across southern and eastern Australia suggested that there were multiple species of these megafauna kangaroos adapted to different environments. These ancient kangaroos, while larger and stockier than their modern counterparts, exhibited variations in size and morphology.
The research team’s next step involves applying similar techniques to fossils of smaller kangaroo species from Mt Etna, such as tree kangaroos and rock wallabies, to understand how they survived environmental changes while Protemnodon did not. By analyzing unique chemical signatures in fossilized teeth, the researchers aim to gain insights into the range and behavior of these ancient kangaroos in response to varying environmental conditions.
Overall, the study’s findings offer a new perspective on the behavior and range of prehistoric giant kangaroos, challenging previous assumptions about the correlation between body size and geographic range in herbivorous mammals. The research not only contributes to our understanding of Australia’s ancient megafauna but also underscores the importance of studying past ecosystems to inform conservation efforts in the present day.