Microbiotheriidae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Microbiotheriidae |
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| Dromiciops gliroides | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Infraclass: | Marsupialia |
| Superorder: | Australidelphia |
| Order: | Microbiotheria |
| Family: | Microbiotheriidae Ameghino, 1887 |
| Genera | |
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†Khasia |
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The Microbiotheriidae are a special family of marsupials. Today, only one living species remains: the monito del monte. However, many other species are known from fossils. These fossils have been found in South America, Western Antarctica, and northeastern Australia.
For a long time, scientists thought these animals were related to opossums. But newer studies, looking at their body structure and DNA, showed something different. It turns out that microbiotheriids are actually more closely related to marsupials from Australia, like kangaroos and koalas! Together, these groups form a larger family called Australidelphia. Scientists now believe this group first appeared in South America, back when the continents were joined as part of Gondwana.
Where They Lived: A Journey Through Time
This family of marsupials has a long history. The oldest known microbiotheriid is called Khasia cordillerensis. Scientists found its fossil teeth in Bolivia, South America. These fossils date back to the Early Paleocene epoch, a very long time ago!
Fossils in South America and Antarctica
Many other ancient microbiotheriids have been found in different fossil sites across South America. Scientists have also discovered possible microbiothere fossils, mostly teeth, in Western Antarctica. These Antarctic fossils were found on Seymour Island and date back to the Middle Eocene epoch.
Australian Connections
Even more surprisingly, some possible microbiothere fossils have been reported from northeastern Australia. If these Australian fossils are confirmed, they are very important. They would help us understand how marsupials spread across the world.
Scientists believe the ancestors of the monito del monte stayed in South America. But other relatives traveled to Antarctica and then to Australia. This happened when these three continents were connected as one giant landmass called Gondwana. It's like they walked from one continent to another before they drifted apart!
