Origin of Marsupials

The origin of the Marsupials can be traced back to more than 100 million years ago. According to the paleontologists, the Marsupial mammals originated almost 125 million years ago from the Eurasian region. This origin of the Marsupials mammals also remains in parallel to the rise of the Placental mammals who also rose almost 125 million years ago. Furthermore; they also originated from the Eurasian region.

The origin of the Marsupial mammals can be traced back to more than 125 million years ago at the Eurasian region.

All of these claims are based upon the findings of the fossils of Marsupials from China's Liaoning province, where they found a small skeleton of the Sinodelphys Szalyayi. That Marsupial was believed to be the size of a chipmunk. Later; the same team of paleontologists also discovered skeletons of Placental mammals within the region which led them to conclude that both Marsupials and Placental mammals rose from the Eurasian region. 125 million years ago Eurasia was part of the super continent named as Laurasia.

Marsupials' Origin
125 Million Years ago Place of Origin
Eurasia Eurasia
Part of Super Continent Laurasia Earliest Marsupial
Sinodelphys Szalyayi

Onwards; both Marsupial and Placental mammals spread throughout the world. Marsupials first thrived at the North America which was part of the Laurasia and later entered into another super continent named as the Gondwana and it included the South America, Arabia, Africa, Australia and Antarctica. It is believed that Marsupials initially thrived at the South American regions.

Marsupials mammals first entered the North America and then to the South America which was part of another super continent named as the Gondwana.

The lack of Marsupial fossils from Africa and Arabia indicates that they did not entered these regions. About 80 million years ago, a huge asteroid struck the earth which defined new dimensions for the future formation of the earth. Africa and Arabia started to separate from the Gondwana which only had Australia, South America and Antarctica connected to it.

Marsupials' Distribution
100 Million Years ago Initial Destination
North America Lateral Destination
Gondwana Regions Gondwana
Super Continent Marsupials in Gondwana
Intially at South America

In one of their last historical journeys the Marsupials finally entered the Australian continent which was bonded with South America and Australia. This happened about 55 million years ago. Australia at that time was believed to be the home to the rain forests and this factors specifically would have attracted the Marsupials to enter the Australian region.

Marsupials finally entered the Australian continent some 55 million years ago while 45 to 35 million years ago Australia started to drift away from the South American and the Antarctica.

About 45 to 35 million years ago, the Australia and Antarctica finally started to drift away from the South America which made the final divide between the Australian Marsupials and the South American Marsupials. The Australian Marsupials started to thrive on the rain forests for millions of years until the final Icehouse phase arrived and it transformed the Marsupials' habitat within the Australian region.

Marsuipals' Entry in Australia
55 Million Years Ago Australia's Drift from Gondwana
45 Million Years Ago Marsupials in Australia
Thirved on Rainforest Icehouse Phase
15 Million Years Ago Icehouse Results
Rise of Australian Marsupials

The Icehouse phase started at the Australian continent some 15 million years ago. The rain forests succumbed to this ice house phase and there was a drought like habitat throughout the continent of Australia. Only the drought tolerant plantation survived on the Australian continent the likes of which included the Eucalyptus and many other.

All the current Marsupial mammals on the Australian continent have originated from the Marsupials which adapted to the Ice House Phase some 15 million years ago.

The surviving animals amazingly adjusted to these drought tolerant plantation of the Icehouse phase and finally started to thrive throughout the region. All the present day Marsupial mammals at the Australian continent have their origin connected to those surviving members of the Icehouse phase.

Marsuipals' Entry in Australia
55 Million Years Ago Australia's Drift from Gondwana
45 Million Years Ago Marsupials in Australia
Thirved on Rainforest Icehouse Phase
15 Million Years Ago Icehouse Results
Rise of Australian Marsupials

Therefore; the current Australian Marsupial mammals' origin can be traced back to the 4 key phases of their lives. First phase involves the rise of the Marsupials in the Eurasian region, second phase is their arrival at the Gondwana and thriving on the South American rain forests and the third phase is their arrival at the Australian continent.

Four key phases define the origin of the Australian Marsupials i.e., rise at the Eurasia, migration towards Gondwana, arrival at the Australian continent and adaptation to the Icehouse phase.

Finally; the fourth and last phase is their adaptation to the Icehouse phase at the Australian continent. The origin of the Australian Marsupials shows a beautiful journey of these mammals over the span of more than 125 million years ago.

Marsupials - Phase One
Orignation - 125 Million years Ago Marsupials - Phase Two
Entry in South America - 60 to 100 Million years Ago Marsupials - Phase Three
Arrival in Australia - 55 Million years Ago Marsupials - Phase Four
Icehouse Adaptation - 15 Million Years Ago

Lastly; how is it possible to differentiate the fossils of the Marsupials with the other mammals like the Placental mammals? The differentiation lies within the skeletal structures of the Marsupial mammals which are marginally different than the Placental mammals. The skeletons of the Marsupial animals usually differ from the Placental mammals on the basis of their premolars and molars.

The Marsupial animals have a unique skeletal structure that is quite different from the Placental mammals. For example the Marsupial mammals have non-replacing first 2 premolars out of 3 premolars and have 4 molars in total.

The first two Premolars of the Marsupials are non-replacing, plus on aggregate they have 3 premolars and 4 molars while the Placental mammals have 4 premolars and 3 molars. This is one of the most easiest of methods for the paleontologists to differentiate between the Marsupials and the Placental mammals. Moreover; the brain area for the Marsupials is rather smaller in the skull as compared to the Placental mammals.