Researchers have uncovered an unusual animal known as the “echidnapus” that they assume once roamed Australia in prehistoric times.
In opal fields in the northern region of New South Wales, fossilized fragments of the mammal’s jaw bone were discovered next to traces of numerous other extinct monotreme species.
The new species, officially known as Opalios splendens, has earned a nickname due to its likeness to the only living egg-laying mammals in the world, the platypus and echidna.
According to the research team, the findings suggest that Australia experienced an “age of monotremes” in the past, when exceedingly rare species of mammals dominated the continent and were commonplace.
Lead author Professor Tim Flannery remarked, “It’s like discovering a whole new civilisation.”
