The Times Australia
Thursday, January 30, 2025 10:01:20 AM
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

For the first time ever, we have a complete skull description of a true fossil giant wombat

  • Written by Julien Louys, Deputy Director, Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution, Griffith University
For the first time ever, we have a complete skull description of a true fossil giant wombat

The place we call Australia today was in many ways vastly different 80,000 years ago.

Perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in the animals that would have roamed the plains and inhabited the forests of the continent. Huge marsupials ruled the land, including giant kangaroos, giant koalas and giant wombats.

In a study published today in Papers in Palaeontology[1], we describe the most complete skull[2] of one of these giant wombats, a hitherto poorly known species called Ramsayia magna. This marsupial bore more than a passing resemblance to a giant beaver crossed with a modern hairy-nosed wombat.

Drawing of a brown, stumpy animal with dog-like ears and a very large snout
Reconstruction of Ramsayia magna. Eleanor Pease, CC BY-NC[3]

A wombat impostor and a unique skull

Among the charismatic megafauna of Australia, perhaps the best known is the giant marsupial Diprotodon, often referred to as the “giant wombat”.

Contrary to what this moniker suggests, however, Diprotodon is not a wombat at all. Rather, it belongs to a family as distinct from wombats as hippos are from pigs, or as we are from monkeys.

Nevertheless, “true” giant wombats are known from Australia – Phascolonus, the largest, Sedophascolomys, the smallest, and finally Ramsayia, the rarest (roughly cow, goat and sheep-sized, respectively). Ramsayia was previously only known from isolated tooth and jaw fragments.

In the caves of Mount Etna just outside Rockhampton in Queensland, we uncovered a fossil that turned out to represent the most complete remains of this animal ever found. Our detailed anatomical study of this remarkable new specimen revealed what the animal looked like, its unique adaptations to grazing, and the evolutionary history of the giant wombats.

Dark photograph of a person in yellow shirt crouching next to rocks in a cave with a headlight on The skull of the giant wombat was found in the caves of Mt Etna, Rockhampton. Julien Louys, Author provided

Air pockets in the skull

One of the first things we noted about Ramsayia was that the back of its skull preserved evidence of air pockets or sinuses not found in modern wombats.

These sinuses develop for two primary reasons. The outside of a mammal’s skull sometimes grows at a different pace to the brain cavity and the bones that directly surround it. While an animal (and its skull) can reach enormous sizes, its brain size may lag behind; a very large animal doesn’t always need a much larger brain than its smaller relatives.

To accommodate a huge skull and moderately sized brain without adding too much weight, sinuses develop – air cavities supported by bony struts. A larger skull with sinuses also provides more surface area for the attachment of larger chewing muscles, letting the animal process much tougher or poorer-quality foods than smaller species.

Yellow crumbly-looking bone fragments on a white surface, roughly making out the shape of a skull View of the inside of the skull of Ramsayia, showing the development of sinuses in the back of the skull (top right of image) and the distinct ‘premaxillary spine’. (Louys et al., 2022), CC BY-NC[4]

Although these sinuses have been found in other extinct giant marsupials[5], this is the first time they’ve been recorded in any wombat species.

They would have given Ramsayia a more rounded head than modern wombats, who have famously flat skulls that may be an adaptation to their underground lifestyle. This could mean Ramsayia did not live in burrows like wombats do today.

Interestingly, cranial material for another giant wombat, Phascolonus, (known for decades but still not studied in detail) suggests the top of its head was “dished-in[6]”. This would indicate that like modern wombats, Phascolonus did not develop these sinuses and they may be unique to Ramsayia.

A sizeable snout

The second major feature we noted was the development of a vertical bony spine where most other marsupials have elongated, horizontal nasal bones.

Called a “premaxillary spine”, it most likely developed to provide structural support for a large fleshy nose: not quite a trunk, but certainly a sizeable nasal appendage. In this regard, as well as in the highly curved shape of its gape (the diastema) and incisors, it closely resembles Diprotodon, as well as giant fossil beavers found in America and Eurasia.

A museum exhibit showing a bear-like animal with a fleshy, large nose Diprotodon, often incorrectly called the ‘giant wombat’ showing its large, fleshy nose. Julien Louys, Author provided

Using the features preserved in the skull of Ramsayia, we compared it to other wombats and wombat-like creatures, to better understand the evolution of giant wombats.

One interesting finding was that all three giant wombats – Phascolonus, Sedophascolomys, and Ramsayia – are more closely related to each other than they are to other extinct and modern wombats. This indicates that gigantism in wombats evolved only once and early in their evolutionary history.

A trend to gigantism was likely in response to the gradual drying out of the Australian continent that started about 20 million years ago and the need to process poorer quality food such as grasses – harder to ingest than leaves and fruits.

A mysterious extinction

To find out the age of the specimen, we used a combination of dating methods known as uranium series and electron spin resonance[7]. These techniques allow us to date beyond the radiocarbon dating window of around 50,000 years.

Our results indicate this individual lived approximately 80,000 years ago in the Rockhampton region. We also found traces of this species even farther north, towards the Chillagoe area. This shows Ramsayia inhabited temperate to tropical grasslands of ancient Australia.

What caused its final extinction? While some have argued[8] the species was wiped out by the arrival of humans, the truth is we don’t yet have enough data to be able to say.

Our paper provides the first ages for this species, and important insights into what it looked like and how it lived. But many more records will be needed to best determine why this giant wombat is no longer with us today.

We thank Eleanor Pease and Ian Sobbe who also contributed to this article.

References

  1. ^ Papers in Palaeontology (doi.org)
  2. ^ most complete skull (www.morphosource.org)
  3. ^ CC BY-NC (creativecommons.org)
  4. ^ CC BY-NC (creativecommons.org)
  5. ^ other extinct giant marsupials (museumsvictoria.com.au)
  6. ^ dished-in (en.wikipedia.org)
  7. ^ electron spin resonance (www.spectroscopyeurope.com)
  8. ^ While some have argued (royalsocietypublishing.org)

Read more https://theconversation.com/for-the-first-time-ever-we-have-a-complete-skull-description-of-a-true-fossil-giant-wombat-196037

The Times Features

Property Hotspots for Australia in 2025

Introduction As we move into a new era of property investment, understanding the concept of property hotspots becomes essential for investors looking to maximize their returns. ...

INTRO Travel Predicts 2025’s Top Travel Hotspots

They’re Giving Away a Free Trip! As young travellers look ahead to 2025, certain destinations are already emerging as must-visit hotspots. According to INTRO Travel—an Austral...

Vitamin B6 is essential – but too much can be toxic. Here’s what to know to stay safe

In recent weeks, reports have been circulating[1] about severe reactions in people who’ve taken over-the-counter vitamin B6 supplements. Vitamin B6 poisoning can injure nerv...

The Benefits of Solar-Powered Heating and Cooling

As the climate becomes more unpredictable and temperatures continue to rise, staying cool during the hotter months is more important than ever. Traditional air conditioners, wh...

Cool T-Shirts for Men: Trends, Styles, and Must-Haves

People are fond of cool t-shirts for men. These allow the boys to show their personality. Yes, it works like a canvas that men use to do self-expression. Trendy men’s t-shirts ma...

Fresh Ideas for Celebrating the Year of the Snake

The Lunar New Year is here, and with it comes the Year of the Snake—a time for fresh beginnings, family connections, and, of course, delicious food. As celebrations kick off, A...

Times Magazine

What to Look for When Booking an Event Space in Melbourne

Define your event needs early to streamline venue selection and ensure a good fit. Choose a well-located, accessible venue with good transport links and parking. Check for key amenities such as catering, AV equipment, and flexible seating. Pla...

How BIM Software is Transforming Architecture and Engineering

Building Information Modeling (BIM) software has become a cornerstone of modern architecture and engineering practices, revolutionizing how professionals design, collaborate, and execute projects. By enabling more efficient workflows and fostering ...

How 32-Inch Computer Monitors Can Increase Your Workflow

With the near-constant usage of technology around the world today, ergonomics have become crucial in business. Moving to 32 inch computer monitors is perhaps one of the best and most valuable improvements you can possibly implement. This-sized moni...

Top Tips for Finding a Great Florist for Your Sydney Wedding

While the choice of wedding venue does much of the heavy lifting when it comes to wowing guests, decorations are certainly not far behind. They can add a bit of personality and flair to the traditional proceedings, as well as enhancing the venue’s ...

Avant Stone's 2025 Nature's Palette Collection

Avant Stone, a longstanding supplier of quality natural stone in Sydney, introduces the 2025 Nature’s Palette Collection. Curated for architects, designers, and homeowners with discerning tastes, this selection highlights classic and contemporary a...

Professional-Grade Tactical Gear: Why 5.11 Tactical Leads the Field

When you're out in the field, your gear has to perform at the same level as you. In the world of high-quality equipment, 5.11 Tactical has established itself as a standard for professionals who demand dependability. Regardless of whether you’re inv...

LayBy Shopping