In the Cenozoic period, a formidable platypus specimen boasted robust teeth, particularly its first lower molar (holotype), capable of taking down prey like lungfish and even small turtles.
A new discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of platypuses and echidna, two unique mammals native to Australia. In 2012, a Ph.D. student named Rebecca Pian made a remarkable find while studying at the University of New South Wales – a fossil tooth unlike any known platypus tooth.
The tooth belonged to a newly discovered species of platypus named Obdurodon tharalkooschild. This ancient platypus lived in Australian forests around 5 to 15 million years ago, a time period distinct from that of the four previously discovered extinct platypus species.
The size of the tooth is particularly noteworthy, as it was significantly larger than any known platypus tooth. In fact, the largest known species of platypus, Obdurodon tharalkooschild, is estimated to have measured about 1.3 meters (4.3 feet) in length, making it significantly larger than the modern platypus, which typically measures 38–60 cm long.
In contrast, today's platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus, does not chew its food with teeth. Instead, it uses horny pads in its mouth to crush its soft prey. The larger size and unique teeth of Obdurodon tharalkooschild suggest a possible diet that included bigger prey such as frogs.
The discovery of Obdurodon tharalkooschild adds a new piece to the puzzle of platypus evolution. It is believed that this ancient platypus might have belonged to a now-extinct side branch of the main platypus lineage. The research, considered solid by Timothy Rowe, director of the Vertebrate Paleontology Laboratory at the University of Texas, Austin, helps fill in some gaps in understanding the evolution of platypuses and echidna, a tiny group of egg-laying mammals of which only three modern species remain: the platypus and two species of echidna.
Despite the challenges in discovering more about platypus evolution due to the hardiness of their teeth and the wear and tear of time, the discovery of Obdurodon tharalkooschild reinforces that there is still much to learn about the evolution of these fascinating creatures. The discovery was made from a single tooth found in limestone collected from the Riversleigh World Heritage Area of northwest Queensland. As research continues, who knows what other secrets the past may hold about the evolution of platypuses and echidna.
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