Australia's mammalian carnivore diversity in space and time

为了更有效地解决当前的灭绝危机，我们需要了解过去的多样性。这项研究计划将全面调查地质时期三大洲哺乳动物食肉动物的多样性。结果将提供洞察澳大利亚的哺乳动物食肉动物的进化是否从根本上不同于其他大陆，因为经常被建议，但没有定量证明。关注当前的研究很重要，但往往会遗漏关键因素，这些因素只能通过深入的时间视角分析来澄清。研究结果将转化为更好地了解是什么使澳大利亚在野生动物管理方面具有独特性和更明智的决策。

To more effectively address the current extinction crisis we need to understand past diversity. This research program will comprehensively investigate the diversity of mammalian carnivores on three continents over geological time. Results will provide insight into whether the evolution of Australia's mammal carnivores differs fundamentally from those of other continents, as has often been suggested but not quantitatively demonstrated. Studies focused in the present are important, but often miss critical factors that can only be clarified through analyses with deep time perspectives. The findings will translate into an improved understanding of what makes Australia unique and better-informed decisions regarding wildlife management.