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.
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
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
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
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 followersView post →
Watch the bonus episode about the possibility of the thylacine existing in New Guinea here httpsnebulatvvideosrealsciencecouldthethylacinestillexistinnewguinea. This video explores the extinction status and behavior of…
The thylacine's extinction involved conflict with settlers and illegal trade. Its ecological role resembled small prey-focused canids, challenging previous perceptions of it being similar to wolves or large predators.
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
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 followersView post →
BS
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 followersView post →
SW
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…
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
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
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
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
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 ...