Lumakoala
{{Short description|Extinct genus of phascolarctid}}
{{Speciesbox
| fossil_range = {{Geological age|Oligocene}}
| genus = Lumakoala
| parent_authority = Crichton et al.,2023
| species = blackae
| authority = Crichton et al.,2023
}}
Lumakoala is an extinct genus of phascolarctid that inhabited the Northern Territory of Australia during the Oligocene epoch. It was a member of the Pwerte Marnte Marnte Local Fauna and is known from a single species, Lumakoala blackae.
Palaeoecology
Fossilised teeth of Lumakoala blackae were characterised by their relatively undeveloped enamel crenulations and their diminutive crown height, suggesting that it fed primarily on a diet of soft plants. It is hypothesised that it occasionally opportunistically engaged in insectivory like extant members of Phalangeriformes do.{{Cite journal |last1=Crichton |first1=Arthur I. |last2=Beck |first2=Robin M. D. |last3=Couzens |first3=Aidan M. C. |last4=Worthy |first4=Trevor H. |last5=Camens |first5=Aaron B. |last6=Prideaux |first6=Gavin J. |date=4 September 2023 |title=A probable koala from the Oligocene of central Australia provides insights into early diprotodontian evolution |journal=Scientific Reports |language=en |volume=13 |issue=1 |page=14521 |doi=10.1038/s41598-023-41471-0 |issn=2045-2322 |pmc=10477348 |pmid=37666885 |bibcode=2023NatSR..1314521C }}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from1=Q122235331|from2=Q122235349}}
Category:Prehistoric mammals of Australia
Category:Prehistoric marsupial genera
Category:Prehistoric vombatiforms
Category:Monotypic mammal genera
Category:Oligocene mammals of Australia
Category:Fossil taxa described in 2023
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