Collagen Reveals Koalas' Surprising Link to Deadly Predators

• New research using collagen reveals that koalas' closest extinct relatives were deadly predators, challenging previous understandings of marsupial evolution.
• Modern koalas, known for their gentle, leaf-eating nature, evolved from a lineage of larger, more versatile marsupials, including the predatory Thylacoleo carnifex (marsupial lion).
• Other extinct relatives include the wombat-like Zygomaturus and tapir-like Palorchestes, which thrived in diverse habitats across ancient Australia.
• These ancient marsupial species, including koala ancestors, went extinct due to a combination of climate change reducing forests and increased hunting pressure from human arrival.
• Scientists use molecular tools and protein analysis to track relationships between ancient and modern marsupials, aiming to better understand evolutionary history and inform koala conservation.

Why It Matters: Koalas' cuddly image belies fierce, predatory ancestors, reshaping marsupial evolution.