Mammal discoveries in Western Australia have never stopped.

In 2023 alone, two new species of planigales, tiny carnivorous marsupials, were identified in the Pilbara region, along with several new species of mulgara, planigales relatives. These findings show the wealth of undiscovered treasures within our state. 

Join Jake Newman-Martin and Linette Umbrello from the WA Museum as they take us on a mammalian adventure of the minute kind. 

Meet the Presenters

Jake Newman-Martin is a Curtin University Ph.D. student and a research associate at the Western Australian Museum. He is currently reviewing the taxonomy of Mulgaras and Woylies, small mammals whose fossils are often found in Western Australian caves.

Linette Umbrello is a Research Associate at the Western Australian Museum working on an ABRS Postdoctoral Fellowship with the Queensland University of Technology. Linette’s work focuses on the diversity of Australia’s smallest marsupial carnivores, the planigales and dunnarts, and she uses genetic and morphological information to describe new species.

Access information

The venue is fully accessible. Please contact reception@museum.wa.gov.au or call 1300 134 081 a minimum of five working days prior to the event if you are attending and would like the organisers to arrange Auslan interpretation.

More information is available on access to and within the Museum, plus how to prepare for your visit here.

Meet the Museum 

Are you curious about the fascinating world behind the scenes at the Museum? This monthly program delves into the less visible parts of the Museum’s work, as scientists, researchers, historians and curators share their expertise and passions.