‘Extinct’ marsupials found alive.

The article focuses on the rediscovery of two marsupial species—the ring-tailed glider (Tous ayamaruensis) and the pygmy long-fingered possum (Dactylonax kambuayai)—previously known only from fossils in Australia but now confirmed alive in New Guinea’s Vogelkop peninsula. Indigenous communities played a key role in assisting researchers to locate and document these species, which face threats from logging and habitat loss. The ring-tailed glider is notable for its unique features, including a prehensile tail, while the pygmy long-fingered possum has specialized adaptations for detecting and extracting insect larvae. Due to their rarity and specialized ecology, the exact locations of these animals are kept secret to protect them from wildlife trade. [Extracted from the article]