Aussie marsupials descended from common South American ancestor

[Judi Lynn]

Aussie marsupials descended from common South American ancestor

Melbourne, July 29 : The kangaroo and all other Aussie marsupials, such as wombats and Tassie devils, have a common South American ancestor, suggests new research.

According to previous research, the marsupial family tree began in what is now Australia some 120 million years ago with some migrating to South America while it, Australia and Antarctica were one giant land mass.

Thereafter, South American marsupials began their own evolutionary journey when the continents split nearly 80 million years ago. However, scientists found few fossils to support the theories.

Researchers at Germany''s Munster University turned to an unusual genetic marker to unravel the mystery.

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