. The Australian zoologist. Zoology; Zoology; Zoology. KANGAROOS AND MEN 13 in Potoroinae 2 Bettongia, 1 A epy pry mints and 1 Potorous. In Recent times this same area probably held 2 species of Macropus and 1 Thylogale as well as 1 Bettongia, 1 Aepyprymnus and 1 Potorous. There are many objections to drawing conclusions and making comparisons from data of this kind because there are so many variables which could be responsible for the observed differences. For example the time-span represented by the deposits of the Eastern Downs probably covers far more than a single faunistic horizon, while
. The Australian zoologist. Zoology; Zoology; Zoology. KANGAROOS AND MEN 13 in Potoroinae 2 Bettongia, 1 A epy pry mints and 1 Potorous. In Recent times this same area probably held 2 species of Macropus and 1 Thylogale as well as 1 Bettongia, 1 Aepyprymnus and 1 Potorous. There are many objections to drawing conclusions and making comparisons from data of this kind because there are so many variables which could be responsible for the observed differences. For example the time-span represented by the deposits of the Eastern Downs probably covers far more than a single faunistic horizon, while the present day fauna of Warwick certainly only contains one. There is probably less error in comparing the Mammoth Cave fauna with that of the present day. But there is no doubt that, even to the most optimistic interpreter, these, and other data (see Merrilees 1968), indicate that a considerable reduction has taken place in the number of large forms in the mammal fauna and that these large animals have not been replaced by any faunistic equivalents unless they be the sheep and cattle which man has recently brought in. It is the business of the palaeontologist to discover of his chosen group its origin, its growth in diversity, the sudden adaptive explosion which has meant success, and its eventual decline through maladjustment—to its possible ultimate disappearance. The kangaroos are the last of the great Australian marsupials to survive and, if we are not cautious in our employment of the continental environment, we may be called upon to document their end. How pleasant it would be for the palaeontologist if he could forget this and devote his energies to the light-hearted pursuit of the Different Animal which, according to the Sing-Song of Old Man Kangaroo, has long been worthy of pursuit. To remind those who have not read the Just So Stories for a long time:. This is the Different Animal dancing at the base of his family tree in the centre of Australia. The breakaways i
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1914
