A new species discovered in Australia that lived 25 million years ago

Researchers in Australia have discovered a previously unknown ancient marsupial that roamed the continent about 25 million years ago. Described as a hybrid of a wombat and a marsupial lion, the animal, called Mukupirna fortidentat, is believed to have weighed up to 50 kilograms.

Skull, bone and jaw fragments were found in an area near Alice Springs in central Australia. Researchers note that the find tells the story of how modern marsupials evolved.

According to researcher Arthur Creighton, the creature resembles the marsupial lion, which he shares with modern wombats, and is also known as Thylacoleo carnifex.