Photo credit: phys.org

Climate Upheaval Contributed to the Extinction of Giant Prehistoric Kangaroos

Researchers have uncovered new insights into the extinction of massive prehistoric kangaroos, attributing their demise to significant climate changes that transformed Australia’s lush rainforests into arid landscapes. This conclusion emerged from the analysis of ancient fossils using innovative techniques.

The extinct species, known as Protemnodon, weighed up to 170 kilograms (375 pounds), making them nearly double the size of the largest living kangaroo species. These megafauna roamed Australia as recently as five million years ago.

By examining long-lived chemical markers from fossilized teeth and correlating them with newly discovered geological formations, researchers reconstructed the dietary patterns and movement behaviors of these creatures. The similarities in their chemical signatures revealed the distances the kangaroos traveled in search of food.

“Imagine ancient GPS trackers,” remarked Queensland Museum scientist Scott Hocknull. “We can track individuals through fossils—where they went, what they consumed, and their social interactions—essentially, it’s like a Paleo Big Brother.”

Evidence suggests that these enormous herbivores thrived in what was once a vibrant rainforest. Their habit of foraging close to home was disrupted around 300,000 years ago as the climate shifted towards increased aridity and instability.

“Their inclination to remain close to familiar territories during a period of significant climate upheaval likely played a role in their extinction,” the researchers noted.

While some species of giant kangaroos managed to survive in parts of Australia and Papua New Guinea until approximately 40,000 years ago, many of their contemporaries did not endure.

Anthony Dosseto, a scientist involved in the study, emphasized the potential of these new methods to deepen understanding of Australia’s megafauna extinction. He pointed out that various prehistoric species, including giant echidnas, large marsupials resembling wombats, and massive carnivorous lizards, once inhabited the continent.

“The ongoing debate surrounding the extinction of Australian megafauna has persisted for decades. Now, we can approach it from an individual and species-specific angle,” Dosseto explained, indicating that these refined techniques enable researchers to create more accurate extinction scenarios tailored to specific sites and individuals.

The study’s findings are documented in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS One.

More information: Christopher Laurikainen Gaete et al, Megafauna mobility: Assessing the foraging range of an extinct macropodid from central eastern Queensland, Australia, PLOS ONE (2025). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0319712

Source
phys.org