Latest News:  

English>>Sci-Tech

Extinct koala found in Queensland

(Xinhua)

08:25, May 30, 2013

SYDNEY, May 29 (Xinhua) -- A newly discovered extinct species of koala that lived in northern Australia about 20 million years ago has been named after famous Australian entrepreneur, philanthropist and explorer Dick Smith.

University of NSW researchers shared their discovery in a statement released Wednesday.

"We chose the name to thank Mr Smith for his long-term financial support of Australian science, in particular, of fossil research at the Riversleigh World Heritage Area in north western Queensland," said lead researcher Karen Black.

Dubbed Litokoala dicksmithi, the small ancient koala, found in Riversleigh, is one of 18 known extinct koala species. There is only one surviving species of koala living today.

While another extinct species found in the same area has been described as "possum-like", the newly discovered koala appears to more closely resemble the modern species -- as shown by an " exceptionally well-preserved" partial skull.

At about a third of the size of living koalas, weighing about three to four kilos, Litokoala dicksmithi lived in rainforest canopies, eating plants and possibly fruit rather than the exclusive eucalyptus diet favoured by modern koalas.

Large eye sockets may suggest that this koala was nocturnal, said Black, possibly with better eyesight than their contemporaries.

"Combined with its small body size, this suggests that Litokoala dicksmithi was a more active, agile tree climber than its sleepy, relatively sedentary, cousin that we know," she added.

The researchers say that the onset of dryer conditions in Australia about 15 million years ago led to the contraction of rainforest habitats and may have contributed to the little koala' s extinction.

We recommend:

AN-2 plane crashes in Jalal-Abad region, Kyrgyzstan

Graduation ceremonies of West Point held in New York

People mourn over British fallen soldier in London

'Abused' dolls displayed in Israel

City lit up during Vivid Sydney

Jewish wedding ceremony held in Jerusalem

Email|Print|Comments(Editor:YaoChun、Liang Jun)

Leave your comment0 comments

  1. Name

  

Selections for you


  1. North Sea Fleet conducts training

  2. South Sea Fleet in real-combat drills

  3. Biggest drug seizure accomplished in Panama

  4. Modern movie dream in retro Mingguo street

  5. Fur keeps flying over dogs' rescue

  6. Overgrown waterweeds cleared at Haihe Rive

  7. Hot football teams cheerleaders

  8. Promoting tourism in Beijing

  9. China to cut Swiss watch import duties

  10. Experts call for break-up of SOE monopoly

Most Popular

Opinions

  1. Hot money behind rising yuan
  2. E.U. should learn from Switzerland and Germany
  3. Mutual trust essential for China-U.S. relations
  4. Turning-on-red rule is dangerous for pedestrians
  5. Boy's graffiti signals lack of values at home
  6. Sino-Indian diplomatic miracle embarrasses Japan
  7. U.S. dollar could weaken most Asian currencies
  8. Apple's tax dodge smacks of abuse
  9. Chinese premier's Swiss tour fruitful, influential
  10. China-Switzerland FTA to benefit both sides

What’s happening in China

Modern movie dream in retro Mingguo street

  1. 4 missing in central China boat sinking
  2. Lady suffers shock, dies during spa
  3. Man arrested for Kunming-Beijing flight bomb hoax
  4. Beijing to unveil flood warning plan
  5. Wedding banquets go smoke-free