What has been discovered about Australia’s mammals?

(MENAFN) A recent study has revealed that mammal species in Australia and New Guinea have suffered the greatest impact from extinctions and the arrival of invasive animals over the last 100,000 years.

According to the research, the disappearance and introduction of land animals weighing more than 10 kilograms have significantly disrupted local ecosystems, raising new alarms for conservation efforts. The findings were shared in a statement released on Monday by a university based in South Australia, which spearheaded the study.

Historically, the region was home to massive creatures such as the Diprotodon—a marsupial the size of a rhinoceros—and the giant Megalania lizard, both of which vanished tens of thousands of years ago. Since European settlers arrived in the 1700s, non-native animals like deer, pigs, and goats have added to the pressure on native habitats, the study noted.

Lead researcher John Llewelyn explained that mammals and plant-eating species have borne the brunt of both extinction events and invasive species, while reptiles and birds have been relatively less affected.

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