Museum study uncovers two new bandicoot species, one extinct for a century
A decade of museum research identified two new bandicoot species, including one believed to have died out around a century ago.
Scientists spent ten years examining museum specimens from around the world. They identified two previously unknown bandicoot species in Australia and New Guinea.
The little brown bandicoot from South Australia is believed to have become extinct around a century ago. But it sat unrecognised in museum collections until now.
The New Guinea brown bandicoot was also identified as a separate species. It had been thought to be a subspecies.
The research also found that the quenda once lived around Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, and the Nuyts Archipelago. Long-held belief had placed it only in Western Australia.
South Australia was once home to three bandicoot species instead of the one previously known. Bandicoots are rabbit-sized marsupials.
They have long pointed snouts and large back legs. They dig for food.
These findings matter for conservation planning. They change how scientists understand which species face extinction risk.
They show where protection is most urgent.
- ten years
- Study duration
- five in Australia and New Guinea
- Previously known living species
- more than 20
- All bandicoot species living
- around a century ago
- Little brown bandicoot extinction
Why it mattersUnderstanding which bandicoot species actually existed and where they lived helps conservationists decide where to focus protection efforts and how endangered each population really is.
AustraliaThe revised picture of bandicoot diversity shows Australia once had more species variety than scientists realised, and guides which populations need protection today.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
