Diprotodon

10.280.10.50.50^Diprotodon|10.290.50.50.20.10.50^Diprotodon|10.290.170.50^Diprotodon|30.130.50.50.20.10.50^Diprotodon|30.130.170.50^Diprotodon

Diprotodon

So far not only is Diprotodon the largest of the Australian megafauna,‭ ‬but it is also the largest known marsupial mammal to ever exist.‭ ‬Often loosely dubbed as rhinoceros-sized,‭ ‬there is some variation between specimens which was once taken to indicate various species.‭ ‬More modern analysis of the differences in these specimens has now concluded however that these differences are between males and females,‭ ‬something that has resulted in many previous species being‭ ‬re-established as synonyms of the type species.‭ ‬The larger specimens of Diprotodon have a greater incidence of injuries to the bones which has been interpreted that the larger specimens are of males that regularly fought amongst themselves,‭ ‬possibly for access to females. The feet of Diprotodon were not found until later discoveries were made,‭ ‬but when found they revealed that they were plantigrade.‭ ‬This means that Diprotodon walked with all of the bones horizontally flat towards the ground,‭ ‬an arrangement that would have offered‭ ‬the most support for its large weight.‭ ‬These discoveries also revealed the toes pointed inwards like in other wombats.‭ ‬Also like in other wombats we see today,‭ ‬the pouch that young are kept in faces backwards.‭ ‬This is an adaptation to prevent dirt collecting and building up in the pouch as the wombat digs burrows,‭ ‬although given its large size,‭ ‬Diprotodon almost certainly didn’t dig out burrows,‭ ‬the adaptation remaining more as a family trait inherited from smaller burrowing ancestors. http://www.prehistoric-wildlife.com/species/d/diprotodon.html RD

Accepted