Prehistoric Mammals of Australia and New Guinea: One Hundred Million Years of Evolution

AUSTRALIAN FAUNA & FLORA Natural History –

This book is a comprehensive reference to the extinct mammals of Australia and New Guinea, including carnivorous kangaroos, the first koalas, huge Diprotodons, marsupial lions, ancient bats and rats, and marine mammals.

Foreword / Ernest L. Lundelius, Jr. — The background story — A brief history of fossil mammal discoveries — Why Australian mammals are differnt — Monotremes : wide legs and lay eggs — Thingodontans : odd relics from Gondwana — Marsupial moles : the ancient diggers — Bandicoots and bilbies : long noses and broad appetites — Koalas and kin : gummed tight to trees — Wombats and kin : pouched in reverse and diverse — Possums : hangers and gliders trained in the trees — Kangaroos : hoppers, snippers and rippers — Bats : winged and worldy wanderers — Rats and mice : nimble gnawers from the north — Marine mammals : sleek swimmers of the seas — Weird things not so easily pidgeonholed — Glossary of scientific terms — Slected bibliography / Alexander Baynes — Index.

First Edition.

• 244 p. : col. ill., maps ; 29 cm. #230626

• First Nations (AIATSIS) Subject:

  • Archaeology – Archaeozoology
  • Animals – Mammals – Marsupials
  • Animals – Mammals – Marsupial megafauna
  • Animals – Mammals
  • Animals – Mammals – Marsupial megafauna – Diprotodons
  • Papua New Guinea (PNG)
  • Australia

  • • Mammals, Fossil — Australia
    • Mammals, Fossil — New Guinea