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:
- Badjcinus timfaulkneri: The “Bone Crusher” – a large, 7-11 kg Thylacine with powerful jaws.
- Nimbacinus peterbridgei: The “Forest Hunter” – a 3.7 kg, generalist predator.
- Ngamalacinus nigelmarveni: The “Meat Cutter” – a 5.1 kg, highly carnivorous Thylacine.
Key Findings:
- Rapid evolutionary diversification of Thylacines.
- Ancient ecosystems supported diverse marsupial carnivores.
- 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:
- Expands knowledge of ancient Australian ecosystems.
- Provides insights into marsupial carnivore evolution.
- 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!
