Genomic Study Links Koala Population Decline to Climate Factors 100,000 Years Ago

A new genomic study indicates that the Australian koala population experienced a significant decline approximately 100,000 years ago, occurring well before the arrival of humans on the continent. Researchers from the University of Sydney and Texas A&M University conducted the analysis to trace the evolutionary history of the species and identify the factors that influenced its historical population shifts.

The study utilized genomic data to reconstruct the demographic history of koalas, revealing that the population contraction predates human settlement in Australia. By examining the genetic markers of the marsupials, the research team identified a period of instability that suggests environmental or climatic pressures likely drove the decline. These findings provide a new timeline for the species’ development, shifting the focus away from human-related impacts as the primary cause for the historical reduction in koala numbers.

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Date: June 9, 2026

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GOAI