New Marsupial Species Uncovered in WA

Scientists have identified a previously unknown species of bettong, a small marsupial, alongside two new subspecies of woylie, following extensive analysis of ancient fossils from Western Australian caves. This significant discovery, announced on December 13, 2025, by ScienceDaily, offers crucial insights into Australia's rich past biodiversity.

The research, conducted by experts from Curtin University, the Western Australian Museum, and Murdoch University, highlights the unique evolutionary journey of Australia's fauna. Lead author Jake Newman-Martin, a PhD student at Curtin University, emphasized the findings' importance for understanding marsupial diversity, according to sciencedaily.

The newly identified bettong species, scientifically named Bettongia haoucharae, is believed to be already extinct, a poignant detail underscoring Australia's history of biodiversity loss. This "little bettong" was adapted for arid outback conditions, as reported by murdoch University on September 11, 2025.

Furthermore, the study formally recognizes two distinct living subspecies of the critically endangered woylie, also known as the brush-tailed bettong. This reclassification is vital for ongoing conservation efforts, as stated by sci.news on September 8, 2025.

Fossil materials recovered from caves across the Nullarbor and southwest Australia were central to the identification process. Researchers meticulously examined skull and body fossils, along with genetic tools, to differentiate these species and subspecies, according to The Independent on September 9, 2025.

The discovery sheds new light on the ecological roles these marsupials once played as "ecosystem engineers." Woylies, for instance, are known for turning over significant amounts of soil while foraging for fungi, a behavior crucial for ecosystem health, Yahoo News reported on September 4, 2025.

This groundbreaking research not only expands our knowledge of Australia's ancient past but also provides critical information for protecting its remaining endangered marsupial populations. The findings underscore the urgency of conservation in a continent facing rapid ecological change, as noted by the Wilderness Society.

• The newly described bettong species, Bettongia haoucharae, or the "little bettong," was identified from fossilized remains found in the Great Victoria Desert and Nullarbor Plain. This suggests it was well-adapted to arid environments, according to murdoch University's September 11, 2025 report. Its likely extinction before formal discovery highlights the tragic loss of unique Australian marsupials.

• The study also reclassified the critically endangered woylie (brush-tailed bettong) into two living subspecies: Bettongia ogilbyi sylvatica, the "forest woylie," and Bettongia ogilbyi ogilbyi, the "scrub woylie." This distinction is crucial for targeted conservation and breeding programs, as explained by Curtin University on September 5, 2025.

• Researchers from Curtin University, the Western Australian Museum, and Murdoch University collaborated on this extensive project. Dr. Kenny Travouillon, Curator of Terrestrial Zoology at the Western Australian Museum, indicated that detailed bone measurements were key to understanding the diversity of woylies, as reported by sci.news.

• The methodology involved analyzing specimens from numerous major museum collections across Australia, including the Western Australian Museum, South Australia Museum, and Australian Museum, as well as international institutions like the Natural History Museum in London. This comprehensive approach allowed for a thorough reassessment of existing fossil material, according to The Jerusalem Post on September 12, 2025.

• Woylies are recognized as "ecosystem engineers" due to their significant role in soil health. By digging for fungi, they aerate the soil and disperse fungal spores and plant seeds, contributing to the overall vitality of their habitats. This ecological function makes their conservation particularly important, as highlighted by Yahoo News.

• The findings have direct implications for the conservation of extant woylie populations, which are critically endangered. Lead author Jake Newman-Martin stated that splitting the woylie into two living subspecies is "very important for conservation when we're considering breeding and translocation initiatives," sciencedaily reported on December 13, 2025.

• Australia has a unique evolutionary history, with its biodiversity shaped by millions of years of isolation and adaptation, as noted by the Atlas of Living Australia. However, the continent also faces one of the highest rates of mammalian extinction globally, often attributed to habitat loss and the introduction of feral predators like foxes and cats, according to the Wilderness Society.

• The scientific name proposed for the new Nullarbor species is Bettongia haoucharae. The research team plans to work with Indigenous groups to develop an appropriate collaborative name, acknowledging that "woylie" itself is a Noongar word, as detailed by Curtin University on September 5, 2025.