Lost and Found: Two Marsupial Species Once Thought Extinct Rediscovered in New Guinea

In a remarkable discovery, two marsupial species previously believed to have vanished from the Earth 6,000 years ago have been found thriving in the remote rainforests of West Papua, New Guinea. The findings, led by Australian scientist Tim Flannery, represent an unprecedented event in the field of biology, highlighting the potential for undiscovered biodiversity and the importance of conservation efforts.

Lazarus Taxa: A Second Chance for Extinct Species

The two species are classified as “Lazarus taxa”—a term used to describe species that disappear from fossil records only to reappear later, either through new fossil discoveries or, as in this case, the rediscovery of living populations. According to Flannery, finding one such species is “almost zero” probability, making the discovery of two “unprecedented and groundbreaking.”

Meet the Survivors: Pygmy Long-Fingered Possum and Ring-Tailed Glider

The first species, the pygmy long-fingered possum (Dactylonax kambuayai), is a striped possum distinguished by an extraordinarily elongated fourth digit – twice the length of its other fingers – used to extract wood-boring insect larvae. Fossil records indicate this possum once inhabited Australia’s central Queensland region around 300,000 years ago, but was last known to exist in West Papua 6,000 years ago. The species was initially collected as a museum specimen in 1992 but was misidentified and used for teaching purposes.

The second species, the ring-tailed glider (Tous ayamaruensis), is closely related to the Australian greater glider, but possesses unfurred ears and a strongly prehensile tail. This glider represents a newly described genus of marsupials, the first new genus from New Guinea identified since 1937. It was first described by the late Australian zoologist Ken Aplin, who pieced together fossil fragments found in West Papua late last century.

Conservation and Indigenous Collaboration

Both species inhabit the lowland mountain forests of the Bird’s Head peninsula, also known as the Vogelkop, in the Indonesian-controlled part of New Guinea. Their existence was confirmed through photographs taken by local researchers, fossil fragments and the re-examination of the museum specimen.

Flannery’s research is deeply intertwined with collaboration with Indigenous elders, researchers from the University of Papua, the Global Wildlife Fund, and the Minderoo Foundation. This collaboration aims to protect the forests from logging and ensure their continued control by traditional owners. Local Maybrat woman and research co-author, Rika Korain, emphasized that the identification of the ring-tailed glider wouldn’t have been possible without the support of traditional owners, noting the species is considered sacred by some Vogelkop clans, representing the spirits of ancestors.

Implications for Understanding Australia-New Guinea Connection

Flannery suggests these discoveries provide evidence that the Vogelkop was once part of the Australian continent, later becoming part of New Guinea. This connection is the subject of further research and could have broader implications for understanding the region’s biodiversity and geological history.

Ecologist David Lindenmayer, from the Australian National University, who was not involved in the research, called the revelations “amazing stuff,” highlighting the importance of studying rainforests in remote parts of the world.

The discoveries are detailed in a special edition of a peer-reviewed journal published by the Australian Museum, where Flannery is a distinguished visiting fellow.