The size of the largest marsupial and why it matters

Stephen Wroe; Mathew Crowther; Joe Dortch; John Chong

doi:10.1098/rsbl.2003.0095

The size of the largest marsupial and why it matters

Proc Biol Sci. 2004 Feb 7;271 Suppl 3(Suppl 3):S34-6. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2003.0095.

Authors

Stephen Wroe¹, Mathew Crowther, Joe Dortch, John Chong

Affiliation

¹ School of Biological Sciences A08, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. swroe@bio.usyd.edu.au

Abstract

We show that at 2786 kg, the largest known marsupial, Diprotodon optatum, was much larger than has previously been suggested. Our results contradict the conclusion that the maximum attainable body mass of an Australian marsupial has been constrained by low productivity.

Publication types

Comparative Study
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Australia
Body Constitution*
Body Weights and Measures
Bone and Bones / anatomy & histology
Fossils*
Marsupialia / anatomy & histology*
Models, Biological*
Regression Analysis