Species confirmed alive after decades

A small black and white striped marsupial, known only by a jaw fragment from 6,000 to 7,500 years ago, has been confirmed to be alive. It resides in the remote forests of the Vogelkop Peninsula in New Guinea.

Study published in 2026

The study confirming its existence was published in March 2026 in Records of the Australian Museum. The research was conducted by Flannery, Aplin (who passed away in 2019), Bocos, Koungoulos, and Helgen.

Name and description

The species is named Dactylonax kambuayai, the long-fingered pygmy opossum. It is the smallest member of the Petauridae family and has fingers twice as long as the next on each hand.

Jaw fragment and initial classification

A jaw fragment from the Kria cave, dated between 7,500 and 6,000 years ago, was used to describe the species in 1999. It was initially thought to be extinct.

Misidentified specimens

Three preserved specimens had been mislabeled for decades. They were mistaken for D. palpator, a close relative, despite being collected much later.

Rediscovery and the Lazarus taxon

This kind of error is known among biologists as the "Lazarus taxon," a species thought to be extinct that reappears. Researchers had suspected the animal might still exist, despite its classification as extinct.

Photographic evidence

The decisive evidence was a photograph of a living female near Klalik in the Vogelkop. The image was taken on June 11, 2023, in the Sorong district.

Indigenous collaboration

A villager brought an animal to observers, and the elders of the Tambrauw and Maybrat peoples helped in the identification. Researchers worked with these communities to confirm the existence of the species.

Physical characteristics

The opossum has a black and white striped coat and weighs about 200 grams, roughly the same as two chocolate bars. This estimate is based on a single female weighed at around 216 grams.

Related gliding marsupial

A previously unknown gliding marsupial, named Tous ayamaruensis, was also rediscovered. It is the closest living relative of large flying phalangers in Australia and the first new genus from New Guinea since 1937.

Cultural significance

For some local groups, the animal is sacred. This knowledge predates scientific discovery and adds cultural depth to the findings.

Geological and evolutionary context

The Vogelkop Peninsula is seen as an ancient fragment of the Australian continent. This geological origin may explain why remnants of Australian fauna still exist in the region.

Future research needed

The population size and IUCN status of Dactylonax kambuayai are still unknown. Targeted field studies are needed to understand how many of these animals live in the low and medium altitude forests.