Unveiling the Ancient Ancestors of the Tasmanian Tiger

New fossil discoveries rewrite the evolutionary history of Australia’s iconic Thylacine, revealing three ancient species that lived 23-25 million years ago.

Meet the Ancestors:

1. Badjcinus timfaulkneri: The “Bone Crusher” – a large, 7-11 kg Thylacine with powerful jaws.
2. Nimbacinus peterbridgei: The “Forest Hunter” – a 3.7 kg, generalist predator.
3. Ngamalacinus nigelmarveni: The “Meat Cutter” – a 5.1 kg, highly carnivorous Thylacine.

Key Findings:

1. Rapid evolutionary diversification of Thylacines.
2. Ancient ecosystems supported diverse marsupial carnivores.
3. New species shed light on Tasmanian Tiger’s ancestry.

Expert Insights:

“These discoveries highlight the complexity of the Thylacine’s family tree,” says study lead author Tim Churchill.

The Study:

Published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, the research reveals the oldest known Thylacine species, found in Australia’s Riversleigh World Heritage Area.

Significance:

1. Expands knowledge of ancient Australian ecosystems.
2. Provides insights into marsupial carnivore evolution.
3. Rewrites the Tasmanian Tiger’s evolutionary history.

Source:

• University of New South Wales
• Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology

Related Articles:

• “Uncovering the Secrets of the Tasmanian Tiger”
• “Ancient Australian Ecosystems: New Discoveries”
• “The Evolutionary History of Marsupial Carnivores”

Share Your Thoughts:

What do these discoveries reveal about Australia’s ancient ecosystems? Share your thoughts in the comments below!