University of Tasmania, Australia

New research published in ‘Science’ magazine, co-authored by Prof Chris Johnson, has shed light on the mysterious extinction of Australia's remarkable collection of megafauna. It appears the extinction was caused by the arrival of early man.

New research, co-authored by Prof Chris Johnson, has shed light on the mysterious extinction of Australia's remarkable collection of megafauna; "The aftermath of Megafaunal Extinction: Ecosystem Transformation in Pleistocene Australia" (published in ‘Science’ magazine, March 23). Australia was once home to an extraordinary collection of very large animals: rhino-sized wombat-like marsupials called diprotodons, giant kangaroos, a goanna bigger than the living Komodo dragon, a giant goose twice the size of the emu and many others. All of these species became extinct about 40,000 years ago and until now it has been unclear why. Now it appears the extinction was caused by the arrival of early man.