Phascolonus

Phascolonus is an extinct genus of giant wombat known from the Pliocene^[1] and Pleistocene of Australia. There is only a single known species, Phascolonus gigas, the largest wombat ever known to have existed, estimated to weigh as much as 200 kg (450 lb)^[2] or 360 kg (790 lb).^[3] It was described by Richard Owen in 1859. Phascolomys magnus is a probable junior synonym.^[3] P. gigas is distinguished from other wombats by its strap-shaped upper incisors. The cranial roof also is noticeably inwardly depressed.^[3] The species was abundant across Australia, with remains having been found in all states except Western Australia. It is suggested to have had a preference for arid and semi-arid inland habitats, with a diet consisting of a high amount of low quality vegetation. Though it likely had wide home-ranges, it probably did not stray far from fresh water sources.^[4] Abundant remains have been found in Pleistocene aged deposits from Lake Callabonna in South Australia.^[3] Unlike its living relatives, it is unlikely that Phascolonus engaged in burrowing.^[5] Phascolonus disappeared during the Late Pleistocene Quaternary extinction event around 50-40,000 years ago, together with many other large Australian animals, following the arrival of humans to the Australian continent.^[4][6] Phylogenetic analysis suggests that is closely related to the other giant wombat genera Ramsayia and Sedophascolomys.^[3]

Phascolonus Temporal range: Pliocene–Late Pleistocene PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Fossil cast at the American Museum of Natural History
Life restoration
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Infraclass:	Marsupialia
Order:	Diprotodontia
Family:	Vombatidae
Genus:	†Phascolonus Owen, 1872
Species
P. gigas (Owen, 1859)
Synonyms
Phascolomys magnus

Alternative angle of AMNH cast