Two new types of larger gliders, a cat-sized marsupial that lives in the forests of Australia, were discovered Down Under after scientists performed DNA tests on new tissue samples from the animals. A new study published in Nature's publicly available journal Scientific Reports describes the results.
The discovery is significant because gliders are more diverse than previously thought, adding to the biodiversity of the animals found in Australia.
"It's really exciting to find this biodiversity under our noses," study researcher Kara Youngentob told The West Australian. "The division of the larger glider into multiple species reduces the previously widespread distribution of the original species, which further increases conservation concerns for this animal and highlights the lack of information on the other larger glider species."
The nocturnal glider lives in hollow trees during the day and roams the forest at night in search of its favorite food - eucalyptus leaves. True to the animal's namesake, the creature can slide up to 100 meters into the air.
Effective conservation of endangered animals depends on precise classification. Therefore, these two new species could potentially be protected in the same way as the original glider, which is currently classified as "Endangered" due to habitat destruction in Australia. Even before devastating bush fires in Australia killed millions of animals, the Petauroides volans population declined.
Since the Bushfire in Australia"There has been an increased emphasis on understanding the genetic diversity and structure of species in order to protect resilience to climate change," added Youngentob.
Using genetic sequencing tests from tissue samples from various gliders in areas of Queensland, Victoria, as well as from museum samples, the researchers were able to confirm differences in the gliders' DNA. Larger gliders fall into three different types which now include Petauroides minor and Petauroides armillatus in addition to the original Petauroides volans.
The new study, which focuses on the genetics of larger gliders, found three different species that live in the southern, central and northern areas of Australia. Researchers from the Australian National University, the University of Canberra, CSIRO and James Cook University collaborated on the study.
"There has been speculation for some time that there was more than one type of larger glider, but now we have evidence from DNA. This is changing the way we think about them," study researcher Denise McGregor told The Guardian.
The discovery of the two new larger types of gliders also sparked interest from animal lovers on social media. "And just like that, the world got a lot better," wrote one.
Ngl, I saw this picture and thought it was a joke by these fun-loving Aussies trying to convince tourists that this animal is real and not a stuffed animal.
It turns out to be real and is called a bigger glider. Too sweet.
(Make a fool of me once, Oz, and I'll be careful forever. Drop bears). https://t.co/vOcwBc8i5q
- "Tibby" (@ tibby17) November 8, 2020
"When you see them, they're like a big, fluffy animal that's like a big cat ... but this one can fly. Fortunately, they are vegetarians. "Https://t.co/gwbgPeqepT
- Molly Lambert @ (@mollylambert) November 8, 2020
Two new larger types of gliders have been discovered in Australia!
It was previously thought to be one species, but apparently larger gliders are made up of three different types. They are one of the largest sliding mammals in the world. Check out how cute they are! pic.twitter.com/neVdL7Klv3
- freyr (@sunfloweraidil) November 8, 2020
😯 TWO new types of larger gliders have been discovered!
These incredible creatures are listed as Endangered in Victoria, but their habitat is STILL being destroyed by state loggers. VicForests 😡 https://t.co/WTZ12iUxqk
- Environment Victoria (@EnviroVic) November 6, 2020