''Hypsiprymnodon karenblackae'' is a fossil species describing a small marsupial extant in Australia during the Early to Middle

Miocene The Miocene ( ) is the first geological epoch of the Neogene Period and extends from about (Ma). The Miocene was named by Scottish geologist Charles Lyell; the name comes from the Greek words (', "less") and (', "new") and means "less recen ...

Epoch. The material was collected at the

Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh) Riversleigh World Heritage Area is Australia's most famous fossil location, recognised for the series of well preserved fossils deposited from the Late Oligocene to more recent geological periods. The fossiliferous limestone system is located ne ...

. The taxon was published in 2014, along with several other new species of the genus ''

Hypsiprymnodon ''Hypsiprymnodon'' is a genus of macropods. The sole extant species is ''Hypsiprymnodon moschatus'', the musky rat-kangaroo. The genus includes four known fossil species. The generic name combines the Ancient Greek (, 'high'), (, ' hindmost') ...

'', known as musky rat-kangaroos. The morphology of the teeth suggest it existed in a wet rainforest environment, similar to the ecological conditions of the extant species, the

musky rat-kangaroo The musky rat-kangaroo (''Hypsiprymnodon moschatus'') is a small marsupial found only in the rainforests of northeastern Australia. First described in the later 19th century, the only other species are known from fossil specimens. They are simi ...

(''Hypsiprymnodon moschatus''). The type specimen was collected at the Camel Sputum site, classified as a Faunal Zone B (Miocene) deposit at Riversleigh in northwestern

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...

, The epithet is for Dr.

Karen Black Karen Blanche Black (née Ziegler; July 1, 1939 – August 8, 2013) was an American actress, screenwriter, singer, and songwriter. She rose to prominence for her work in various studio and independent films in the 1970s, frequently portrayi ...

's contribution to palaeontology in Australia, especially the Riversleigh fossils.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q65118680 Miocene mammals of Australia Species described in 2014 Macropods