Overview

• Researchers isolated collagen peptide markers for Zygomaturus trilobus, Palorchestes azael and Protemnodon mamkurra from bones dated beyond 43,000 years ago
• ZooMS analysis of short amino-acid chains enables genus-level identification in fragmented or heat-exposed fossils where DNA fails to preserve
• New reference markers tailored to Australia fill gaps left by existing databases focused on Eurasian species
• Current markers distinguish genera effectively but lack the resolution to separate closely related species
• Application of these markers is expected to boost megafauna fossil identification and shed light on overlap between prehistoric giants and early humans