Overview
- Researchers formally described Bettongia haoucharae from Nullarbor cave remains, reporting the new woylie species is likely already extinct.
- The Zootaxa paper splits the living woylie into two subspecies, a change the authors say should guide breeding and translocation decisions for this critically endangered marsupial.
- The team assessed skull, teeth and bone measurements from cave subfossils and museum specimens to reveal previously unrecognized diversity.
- Authors recommend pairing morphological work with genetic analyses and plan to collect DNA to test and refine the revised taxonomy.
- Researchers intend to collaborate with Indigenous communities, including Noongar people, on appropriate common names and conservation stewardship.