The extinct Broad-faced Potoroo (Potorous platyops) was first collected in 1839 and described by John Gould in 1844, but even then it was rare and only a handful of specimens were ever collected, the last in 1875. Subfossil remains indicate that it originally had an extensive distribution from the semi-arid coastal districts of South Australia to the Western Australian coast, and possibly as far north as North West Cape .
The habits of the Broad-faced Potoroo are almost entirely unknown. It is clear that it avoided the fertile forested areas that its relatives the Long-nosed and Long-footed Potoroos inhabit. It is unusual amongst recently extinct Australian vertebrates in that it appears to have declined significantly before European settlement of Australia.
Preserved specimens indicate that it was smaller than the other potoroos at around 24 cm long with an 18 cm tail. The coat was grizzled grey above and dirty white below, the body similar in shape to that of a large rat. The ears were small and rounded, the muzzle fairly short, and the cheeks notably puffy.
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Last updated: 08-20-2005 12:50:52
