family Peramelidae, along with the bilbies, as the subfamily Chaeropodinae by McKenna and Bell (1997). However, its form is quite distinct, and recent molecular evidence supports this distinction. It is believed to be the sister group of the rest of the Peramelmorphia, and has been assigned to its own family, the Chaeropodidae. The divergence of Chaeropus from other members of the Peramelemorphia is estimated to be in the Mid-Late Oligocene, around 26.7 Mya (21.9–31.3 confidence interval). Until 2019, both species were grouped under C. ecaudatus as the pig-footed bandicoot; however, a 2019 study split the genus into two species - the northern pig-footed bandicoot (C. yirratji) and the southern pig-footed bandicoot (C. ecaudatus). In 2016, a fossil species C. baynesi was described from Late Pliocene to Early Pleistocene (2.47–2.92 Mya) of south-west New South Wales. The arrangement within the Marsupialia, with the treatment proposed in the 2019 revision, may be summarised as: Peramelemorphia Thylacomyidae (Macrotis, the bilbies) Chaeropodidae Chaeropus Chaeropus ecaudatus Chaeropus ecaudatus ecaudatus Chaeropus ecaudatus occidentalis Chaeropus yirratji Peramelidae (extant genera known as bandicoots) Description A genus of Peramelemorphia order of marsupials, allied by a monophyletic family, and regarded as exceptional in their morphology. The direct evidence of the two species is limited to 29 specimens remaining at museums in Australia and overseas. Their superficial appearance resembled the native bandicoots or rat kangaroos, although very small and dainty, and comparable to the size of a young rabbit or kitten. The feet of forelimbs resemble those of the genus Sus and the hind legs seen as similar to a horse. The species had a body size of and a tail. In form, they were almost bilby-like on first sight, having long, slender limbs, large, pointed ears, and a long tail. On closer examination, however, it became apparent that the pig-footed bandicoots were very unusual for marsupials. The forefeet had two functional toes with hooves, similar to the cloven hoof of a pig or deer; this is possibly due to juveniles being deposited in the pouch through external stalks, thus relieving them of using the forelimbs while as joeys. The hind feet had an enlarged fourth toe with a heavy claw shaped like a tiny horse's hoof, with the other toes being vestigial; only the fused second and third toes were useful, and that not for locomotion, but grooming. They had broad heads, and a long yet slender snout. Their fur