First record of Protemnodon (Macropodidae: Marsupialia) from Pleistocene lowland New Guinea

Abstract

An isolated molar from the archaeological deposit of Lachitu Cave (RIQ), on the north coast of Sandaun Province, Papua New Guinea represents the first Pleistocene occurrence of the genus Protemnodon below 1700 m on the island of New Guinea. The specimen is identified as a deciduous second lower premolar (dp3) from a juvenile individual. It is distinguished from other New Guinean Protemnodon by its large size, proportions, and some morphological features. The find is the first evidence of New Guinean Protemnodon in Pleistocene coastal lowland rainforest environments and likely represents an undescribed species. Loukas G. Koungoulos [ loukas.koungoulos@anu.edu.au ] Archaeology and Natural History, School of Culture, History and Language, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia; Timothy F. Flannery [ tim.fridtjof.flannery@gmail.com ] Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney 2000, New South Wales, Australia; Sue O’Connor [ sue.oconnor@anu.edu.au ] Archaeology and Natural History, School of Culture, History and Language, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.