New Extinct Species of Monotremes Discovered in Australia

Recent discoveries in paleontology reveal three new extinct species of egg-laying mammals in Australia, shedding light on the evolution of monotremes. The ‘echidnapus,’ Opalios splendens, a blend of platypus and echidna features, lived during the Cretaceous period. Lightning Ridge in New South Wales was a hotspot for these furry egg-layers around 100 million years ago. Unearthed fossils offer valuable insights into Australia’s prehistoric past, emphasizing the need to revisit old fossils.