April 2021 PMID 33882837

Functional ecological convergence between the thylacine and small prey-focused canids.

Douglass S Rovinsky, Alistair R Evans, Justin W Adams

Mentions

71
Peak: 60 in Apr 2021
across 6 sources since Apr 2021

Extended reach

2,369,759
potential audience

Total likes

32,169

Video views

2,047,434

Mentions per month

Apr 2021 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter65 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Bluesky1 posts
  • Facebook1 posts
  • Reddit1 posts
  • News1 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall sentiment reflects a strong interest in the new understanding that the thylacine resembled small prey-focused canids more than wolves, evident in phrases like 'not quite a marsupial wolf' and 'ecological convergence.' The tone varies from factual and supportive to contemplative, emphasizing the significance of these findings in reevaluating extinction narratives and ecological roles.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions recognize and support the findings of the research, especially highlighting the shift from viewing the thylacine as similar to wolves towards recognizing its closer relation to small, prey-focused canids.

InterestHigh interest

The discussions show a high level of curiosity about the ecological role and evolutionary traits of the thylacine, with multiple posts referencing detailed research and related ecological concepts.

EngagementModerate engagement

While some posts briefly mention the study, others engage deeply by discussing its implications, sharing links, and comparing it to other species, indicating active participation.

ImpactModerate impact

The posts suggest that the research challenges common perceptions about the thylacine, potentially influencing future ecological and evolutionary understanding of similar species, thus holding moderate to significant impact.

Abstract in brief

  • The study examines how the extinct thylacine's skull shape compares to other carnivores, especially in terms of its diet and prey size, using 3D analysis; it finds that the thylacine's cranial features are more similar to predators that hunt smaller prey (less than 45% of their own body mass), like African jackals and South American foxes, rather than wolves or dogs.
  • The research indicates significant convergent evolution between the thylacine and certain small prey-focused canids, but not with large prey hunters like wolves, suggesting that the thylacine likely had a similar ecological role to medium-sized canids, rather than being a wolfdog analogue.
  • Overall, the findings challenge the common perception of the thylacine as functionally similar to wolves or dogs, highlighting instead its similarities with smaller, prey-specific canids based on cranial shape and ecological traits.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Dr Douglass Rovinsky
@DSRovinsky · X

My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of convergent #evolution between the #thylacine and the 'usual suspects' - the #wolf or dog THREAD > 1/18

Apr 21, 2021 · 163 likes · 65 shares · 1,393 followers View post →
School of Biological Sciences, Monash
@MonashBiol · X

What do the Thylacine and a wolf or dog have in common? @DSRovinsky @DrTeethAl and Justin Adams suggest not as much as we might have thought. The thylacine was a predator of small to mid-sized prey, not a big-game specialist like the placental wolf. https://t.co/wH8vEvLdXF https://t.co/OAgMmX4rH6

Apr 27, 2021 · 17 likes · 6 shares · 1,756 followers View post →
Bizarre Beasts
@bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · Bluesky

The next endling in our mini-series is the Thylacine! Thylacines (aka Tasmanian Tigers or Tasmanian Wolves) have been extinct since 1936. Many factors contributed to their extinction, but our own zoological fascination was part of the problem. Learn more in our latest episode. youtu.be/YeMXE8XEmSU

Nov 10, 2025 · 10 likes · 4 shares View post →
BMC Series
@BMC_series · X

Read about the ecological niche of the thylacine in #BMCEcolEvol, not quite a marsupial wolf as was thought. Great thread by author @DSRovinsky explaining the research!

May 6, 2021 · 2 likes · 1 share · 21,289 followers View post →
とよけらとぷす
@rex_toyo · X

論文へのリンク https://t.co/ea1FAeWIih

Apr 27, 2021 · 2 likes · 2,152 followers View post →
Neel Kolhe
@neel_kolhe · X

2/2 https://t.co/ofqk91JM67 https://t.co/qKlHfZ9j8N https://t.co/Zo9Uob4y5x Perhaps @krish_bohra knows more?

Nov 12, 2025 · 2 likes · 851 followers View post →

All mentions

Neel Kolhe
@neel_kolhe · X

2/2 https://t.co/ofqk91JM67 https://t.co/qKlHfZ9j8N https://t.co/Zo9Uob4y5x Perhaps @krish_bohra knows more?

Nov 12, 2025 · 2 likes · 851 followers View post →
Kristopher Dick
@KristopherDDick · X

Completely unrelated to mass migration and foreign worker visas

Nov 10, 2025 · 152 followers View post →
Bizarre Beasts
@bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · Bluesky

The next endling in our mini-series is the Thylacine! Thylacines (aka Tasmanian Tigers or Tasmanian Wolves) have been extinct since 1936. Many factors contributed to their extinction, but our own zoological fascination was part of the problem. Learn more in our latest episode. youtu.be/YeMXE8XEmSU

Nov 10, 2025 · 10 likes · 4 shares View post →
Alex Bhathal
@alexbhathal · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Jan 16, 2022 · 65 shares · 8,622 followers View post →
reptile_f
@reptile_f · X

@JURASSIK_cedrik @karell_codaleia Tout sauf cette hypothèse s'il vous plaît, elle me rappelle des lectures d'ouvrages, qui comment dire

Sep 7, 2021 · 1 like · 1,829 followers View post →
Dr Douglass Rovinsky
@DSRovinsky · X

RT @BMC_series: Read about the ecological niche of the thylacine in #BMCEcolEvol, not quite a marsupial wolf as was thought. Great thread b…

May 6, 2021 · 1 share · 1,393 followers View post →
BMC Series
@BMC_series · X

Read about the ecological niche of the thylacine in #BMCEcolEvol, not quite a marsupial wolf as was thought. Great thread by author @DSRovinsky explaining the research!

May 6, 2021 · 2 likes · 1 share · 21,289 followers View post →
Sandi Walters
@srzjwalters · X

RT @MonashBiol: What do the Thylacine and a wolf or dog have in common? @DSRovinsky @DrTeethAl and Justin Adams suggest not as much as we m…

Apr 28, 2021 · 6 shares · 4,898 followers View post →
Dr Douglass Rovinsky
@DSRovinsky · X

RT @MonashBiol: What do the Thylacine and a wolf or dog have in common? @DSRovinsky @DrTeethAl and Justin Adams suggest not as much as we m…

Apr 28, 2021 · 6 shares · 1,393 followers View post →
Alistair Evans
@DrTeethAl · X

RT @MonashBiol: What do the Thylacine and a wolf or dog have in common? @DSRovinsky @DrTeethAl and Justin Adams suggest not as much as we m…

Apr 28, 2021 · 6 shares · 1,085 followers View post →
ChappleLab
@chapple_lab · X

RT @MonashBiol: What do the Thylacine and a wolf or dog have in common? @DSRovinsky @DrTeethAl and Justin Adams suggest not as much as we m…

Apr 28, 2021 · 6 shares · 1,196 followers View post →
Dr James Rule
@Palaeo_JRule · X

RT @MonashBiol: What do the Thylacine and a wolf or dog have in common? @DSRovinsky @DrTeethAl and Justin Adams suggest not as much as we m…

Apr 27, 2021 · 6 shares · 1,871 followers View post →
School of Biological Sciences, Monash
@MonashBiol · X

What do the Thylacine and a wolf or dog have in common? @DSRovinsky @DrTeethAl and Justin Adams suggest not as much as we might have thought. The thylacine was a predator of small to mid-sized prey, not a big-game specialist like the placental wolf. https://t.co/wH8vEvLdXF https://t.co/OAgMmX4rH6

Apr 27, 2021 · 17 likes · 6 shares · 1,756 followers View post →
とよけらとぷす
@rex_toyo · X

論文へのリンク https://t.co/ea1FAeWIih

Apr 27, 2021 · 2 likes · 2,152 followers View post →
寝虎雨
@hito_osakana · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 27, 2021 · 65 shares · 738 followers View post →
j.i.378955326703night
@jan_iskand · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 27, 2021 · 65 shares · 109 followers View post →
BMC
@BioMedCentral · X

A study published in BMC Ecology and Evolution reports that the thylacine — an extinct carnivorous marsupial also known as the Tasmanian tiger — was likely to have been similar to African jackals or South American foxes in terms of its feeding habits. https://t.co/vLWbGMQ7gK

Apr 26, 2021 · 75,119 followers View post →
Dr. Oliver Demuth
@OliverDemuth · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 23, 2021 · 65 shares · 2,093 followers View post →
Travis Park
@Blogozoic · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 23, 2021 · 65 shares · 1,693 followers View post →
Jenna
@jcroweriddell · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 23, 2021 · 65 shares · 1,077 followers View post →
Launrentian Plannist #WeAreGoingToStay
@leplanleplan · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 23, 2021 · 65 shares · 83 followers View post →
Ben Francischelli
@BFrancischelli · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 697 followers View post →
peanut butter freak
@jukebarks · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 509 followers View post →
Caleb M. Brown
@Brown_Caleb_M · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 1,587 followers View post →
Caroline Spry
@carolinedigs · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 1,054 followers View post →
CathStevenson
@Cathi_Bea · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 1,872 followers View post →
EVANtiel
@EVANtiel · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 100 followers View post →
Darren Naish
@TetZoo · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 52,545 followers View post →
Evans EvoMorph Lab
@EvansEvoMorph · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 633 followers View post →
Alistair Evans
@DrTeethAl · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 1,085 followers View post →
Jem
@jemmagillard · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 145 followers View post →
Dr Marco Camaiti
@Scincomancer · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 323 followers View post →
Dr Qamariya Nasrullah
@QamNas · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 827 followers View post →
David Walker
@Bio_ecologist · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 360 followers View post →
Stewart Nicol
@topechidna · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 393 followers View post →
marsupialpapers
@marsup_papers · X

Functional ecological convergence between the thylacine and small prey-focused canids https://t.co/06JOXpHw1O

Apr 22, 2021 · 1 like · 149 followers View post →
myEvolutionPapers
@myEvolPapers · X

Functional ecological convergence between the thylacine and small prey-focused canids https://t.co/Ishh1TEUD1 https://t.co/JSg5u8T9Pu

Apr 22, 2021 · 1 like · 185 followers View post →
BMC
@BioMedCentral · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 75,119 followers View post →
Maija Karala
@MaijaKarala · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 3,879 followers View post →
Dino Chu
@Dino_Dobrowski · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 1,102 followers View post →
mike, kill this guy
@badpixy69 · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 385 followers View post →
saunie
@saunieindiego · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 2,359 followers View post →
brooklebee.bsky.social
@brooklebee · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 934 followers View post →
Dr Ross Barnett
@DeepFriedDNA · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 6,547 followers View post →
Mariah Howell
@mariahmhowell · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 68 followers View post →
Dr David Hocking
@DPHocking · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 1,478 followers View post →
Kristy Hayward
@kristyhayward · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 819 followers View post →
Nathan Beerkens
@NathanBeerkens · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 942 followers View post →
Axel Tallone
@AxelSauro · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 251 followers View post →
Henry Laurie
@henrylaurie3 · X

Une étude sur le thylacine, espèce éteinte emblématique, révèle qu'il serait plus proche de chacals africains et «renards» sud-américains, en terme d'écologie fonctionnelle que du loup ou chien comme nous le pensions. @ISYEBsp @Especes_revue

Apr 22, 2021 · 104 followers View post →
Owen Middleton
@OwenMiiddleton · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 1,228 followers View post →
Sharkie
@NebulaSharkie · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 878 followers View post →
Neil Brocklehurst
@palaeo_neil · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 1,114 followers View post →
Dr. Caitlin Curry
@ThatLionLady · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 984 followers View post →
Taking a break.
@rangerkatt · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 211 followers View post →
Dr. Dawn Bazely is @DawnBazely@mastodon.world
@dawnbazely · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 8,907 followers View post →
Milton Tan
@mtanichthys · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 5,095 followers View post →
Branden Holmes
@Athedeism · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 134 followers View post →
Alex Cruz
@AlfaPachyDerm · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 22, 2021 · 65 shares · 6 followers View post →
Former 90s kid; The brightest tool in the shed.
@JamesMo19320924 · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 21, 2021 · 65 shares · 731 followers View post →
Dr. Heather F. Smith
@heatherfsmith · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 21, 2021 · 65 shares · 1,421 followers View post →
Dark Brandon Rises
@iamgabbarson · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 21, 2021 · 65 shares · 545 followers View post →
Chris Law
@Chris_J_Law · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 21, 2021 · 65 shares · 1,366 followers View post →
D. Rex Mitchell
@DRexMitchell · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 21, 2021 · 65 shares · 373 followers View post →
Dhruv Franklin
@dhruvfranklin · X

RT @DSRovinsky: My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of co…

Apr 21, 2021 · 65 shares · 5,605 followers View post →
Dr Douglass Rovinsky
@DSRovinsky · X

My last PhD paper is (finally) out: https://t.co/GeqIGKyaE9 @BMC_series In this #openaccess jam, we look at the idea of convergent #evolution between the #thylacine and the 'usual suspects' - the #wolf or dog THREAD > 1/18

Apr 21, 2021 · 163 likes · 65 shares · 1,393 followers View post →
It was on this day in 1936 that the last known surviving Tasmanian ...
Facebook

com/articles/10.1186/s12862-021-01788-8. bmcecolevol.biomedcentral.com. Functional ecological convergence between the thylacine and small. 4 ...

Sep 6, 2021 View →
The Tasmanian tiger was no wolfish predator—it hunted small prey
News

DOI: 10.1186/s12862-021-01788-8. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original ...

Apr 22, 2021 View →
Research about the actual size of a thylacine : r/thylacine
Reddit

... 10.1186/s12862-021-01788-8. Community Info Section. r/thylacine. Join. The Tasmanian Tiger. A place to discuss all things related to Thylacines ...

Mar 19, 2021 View →