The size of the largest marsupial and why it matters.
We show that at 2786 kg, the largest known marsupial, Diprotodon optatum, was much larger than has previously been suggested. Our results contradict the conclusion that the maximum attainable body mass of an Australian marsupial has been constrained by low productivity.
Wroe
Stephen
S
School of Biological Sciences A08, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. swroe@bio.usyd.edu.au
Crowther
Mathew
M
Dortch
Joe
J
Chong
John
J
D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D001824:Body Constitution; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005580:Fossils; D008394:Marsupialia / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D012044:Regression Analysis