A tiny marsupial species declared extinct decades ago may still be hopping around in the deserts of Australia — and a new study offers a potential roadmap for its rediscovery.
The desert rat-kangaroo, or Caloprymnus campestris — a rodentlike creature with large hind legs — is steeped in mystery. It was last seen nearly a century ago, in 1930. And it was officially designated extinct in 1994, likely due, in part, to predation from foxes and cats. Now, all that scientists have to show for the species is a handful of skeletons kept in museums.
But, in recent years there have been numerous unconfirmed sightings of the species, indicating it could be extant. With these sightings in mind, scientists have conducted research — using museum skeletons — that could help rediscover the species, according to a study published on Feb. 25 in the Journal of Experimental Biology.
It turns out, the key to locating the desert rat-kangaroo could lie in its skull. Using computer models of museum specimen skulls, the research team — led by Rex Mitchell from Flinders University — implemented a technique known as Finite Element Analysis. This allowed them to test the skulls’ potential to handle forces that occur during biting.
