Nullarbor dwarf bettong
Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Infraclass
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Bettongia pusilla

The Nullarbor dwarf bettong, Bettongia pusilla, was a potoroine marsupial that occurred in Australia. The animal is only known from skeletons found in caves of the Nullarbor Plain and is now classified as recently extinct.

Appearance

Betongia pusilla show a form of dentition and jaw structure that distinguishes them from others of the genus. The mandible is lighter than the extant species, and the teeth are smaller. Molars of Bettongia pusilla are straight sided with an elevated crown, which contrasts with the bulbous shape of other Bettongia species.

Distribution

Geography

Only known from a series of skeletal remains found in caves on the Nullarbor Plain, an arid desert region of southern Australia. The species is assumed to have become extinct in the states of Western and South Australia during the period of colonisation.

References

1. Nullarbor dwarf bettong Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nullarbor_dwarf_bettong
2. Nullarbor dwarf bettong on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/136805/21960843

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