The macropodidae (Marsupialia) of the early Pleistocene Nelson Bay local Fauna, Victoria, Australia

Abstract

The Nelson Bay Local Fauna, near Portland, Victoria, is the most diverse early Pleistocene assemblage yet described in Australia. It is composed of a mix of typical Pleistocene taxa and relict forms from the wet forests of the Pliocene. The assemblage preserves a diverse macropodid fauna consisting of at least six genera and 11 species. A potentially new species of Protemnodon is also possibly shared with the early Pliocene Hamilton Local Fauna and late Pliocene Dog Rocks Local Fauna. Together, the types of species and the high macropodid diversity suggests a mosaic environment of wet and dry sclerophyll forest with some open grassy areas was present in the Nelson Bay area during the early Pleistocene.