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The Evolution of the Wombat

The Diprotodon optatum

~ The Diprotodon optatum is one of the most well known mammals that existed during the mega-fauna.

~ It was the first mammal fossil found in Australia by Richard Owen in the year 1838.

~ Unlike the wombat however the Diprotodon Optatum was a very large animal that did not have to live in burrows underground for safety.

Fossil Evidence

Bibliography

Conclusion

Information | | Wombat ResourcesWombat Resources. 2015. Information | | Wombat ResourcesWombat Resources. [ONLINE] Available at: http://wombatresources.com/wombat-data/information/.

The Wombat . 2015. The Wombat . [ONLINE] Available at: http://austhrutime.com/wombats.htm.

Diprotodon optatum - Australian Museum. 2015. Diprotodon optatum - Australian Museum. [ONLINE] Available at: http://australianmuseum.net.au/diprotodon-optatum.

Wombats, Wombat Pictures, Wombat Facts - National Geographic. 2015. Wombats, Wombat Pictures, Wombat Facts - National Geographic. [ONLINE] Available at: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com.au/animals/mammals/wombat/.

Wombats | NSW Environment & Heritage. 2015. Wombats | NSW Environment & Heritage. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/animals/Wombats.htm

Wombat | San Diego Zoo Animals. 2015. Wombat | San Diego Zoo Animals. [ONLINE] Available at: http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/wombat.

http://www.prehistoric-wildlife.com/species/d/x.html

Diprotodon | fossil marsupial genus | Britannica.com. 2015. Diprotodon | fossil marsupial genus | Britannica.com. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.britannica.com/animal/Diprotodon.

~ In conclusion, with the amount of evidence and scientific discoveries identified, the Diprotodon Optatum has in fact evolved into the common wombat today, though it is also related to other Australian Marsupial mammals, such as the Koala bears and Kangaroos.

Evolution and Adaptations

~ Although the Diprotodon optatum may have been extinct for around 25,000 years ago, the fossils that have been found, are able to prove some theories that scientists have made about these animals. For example, one rib that was found in central NSW, had shown a small square hole, cut through the middle of it, to which had caused scientists to come to a conclusion that the hole was made from a spear that had been shot through the animal while it's "bones were still fresh". This became a source of evidence for the theory that the Diprotodon optatum was in fact hunted down to extinction.

~As well as evolving pouches, the diprototodon Optatum, the wombats, and their close cousins, such as the kangaroo have also developed skeletal features such as "two long forward-projecting lower incisors" and "four square-shaped upper incisors", to which they use for chewing, crushed up plants and other types vegetation

within there diets.

The Wombat

Evolution and Adaptations

~Due to the fact that wombats and the Diprotodon Optatum are close relatives it is not unusual for them to carry out similar features and characteristics. For example, with the fossils found, scientists are able to detect pouches at the back, in which they carry their young in, just like wombats. Although they both do have similar features, this does not make them relatives as it is how and why they have it that determines their relationship. Scientists have stated that the purpose of the pouch, in which both the wombat and the Diprotodon Optatum have, are in fact a type of adaptation, meaning that both these marsupials were forced to evolve and adapt into a new environment. The pouches were evolved to prevent dirt from entering the pouch, where it could have possibly effected the young, whilst the mother digs further into the burrow for safety.

~Wombats are usually described as short, chubby and somewhat similar to bears.

~ They are a type of marsupial and are known as one of the

world's largest burrowing,

herbivore mammals.

~ Like the kangaroo

and the koalas, wombats also have

pouches in which they carry their

young until they are able to fend

for themselves.

Identification

~ With the help of advanced technology, such as the electron microscope, scientists are able to identify and gather useful information, to help structure the

Living Relatives

lifestyle and characteristics of

~ Although the Diprotodon Optatum has gone extinct, its close relatives are still wondering the earth today. The common wombat, is in fact the closet relative to the Diprotodon Optatum, that is still alive today. However, the koala bears are also known as a relative to these mega-fauna animals.

the Diprotodon Optatum.For example, without the help of electron microscopes, scientists wouldn't have been able to detect the small remains of saltbush in the abdominal area from a Diprotodon Optatum's skeleton, found in a lake from Callabonna. Without this knowledge, scientists would have never been able make out what the Diprotodon fends on, as a source of energy. As well as this, without the use of electron microscopes, scientists would have never come up with a conclusion that the Diprotodon Optatum's incisors were used to root out vegetation, indicating that these animals were in fact herbivore much like the common wombat today.

How did they become extinct?

~ Throughout the years there have been many theories on how the Diprototon Optatum had become extinct. Whether or not, if they had been hunted down by humans or if it was due to climate change. Although it is evident that both theories could have been true, the answers are still left unclear.

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