What is a diprotodont animal?
Diprotodontia ( / daɪˌproʊtəˈdɒntiə /, from Greek “two forward teeth”) is the largest extant order of marsupials, with about 155 species, including the kangaroos, wallabies, possums, koala, wombats, and many others. Extinct diprotodonts include the hippopotamus -sized Diprotodon, and Thylacoleo, the so-called “marsupial lion”.
How many suborders are there in Diprotodontia?
Until recently, only two suborders in Diprotodontia were noted: Vombatiformes which encompassed the wombats and koala and Phalangerida which contained all other families. Kirsch et al. (1997) split the families into three suborders. In addition, the six Phalangeriformes families are split into two superfamilies.
Is the Diprotodon still alive?
Although it is extinct, some people believe that the Diprotodon could be still alive today as a cryptid called the Bunyip (the Bunyip was a beast that Aboriginal tribes feared), but people do not have evidence for this creature being alive. It appears in Monsters We Met where it lacks its’ massive nose.
Which group diversified more than the diprotodonts?
No group diversified more than the diprotodonts. There are currently 131 species of diprotodont in 40 genera, representing 10 families of koala, wombat, possum, cuscus, rat-kangaroo, kangaroo, wallaby, pygmy possum, ringtail, glider, honey possum, and feathertails.
