Marsupial Wolf or Tasmanian Tiger

     

                                               

                                                                    Prepared by: Abhijit Das

Having stripe coat like a cat, it's head and body look like a dog. It also has a pouch like a kangaroo where it carries it's young. No wonder, the enigmatic, iconic feature of Australia was also alternatively called the Marsupial Wolf or Tasmanian Tiger.

For million of years, Thylacinus cynocephalus (thylacine) roamed mainly in Australia. It's number declined as humans settled somewhat around 40000 years ago and the dingo a small dog like creature introduced 4000 years ago.

                                                      

                                                                                       Dingo

Thylacines' last remaining outpost was in a dingo free, Tasmania, but a concerted eradication wiped out the species. When dingoes arrived in Australia they helped to push out them. The last known thylacine said to be named Benjamin died at a zoo in Hobart in 1936.

As per research the elbow joint was a clue to predator habits as it showed whether the animal is built for flexibility and dexterity in handling prey or for chase and speed in tracking down the next meal.

In terms of hunting, the increased hand and arm movement would have given the thylacine a greater capability of subduing it's quarry after a surprise attack. Since dingoes and other dog like creatures have less latitude in arm-hand movement, that helps explain why these animal hunt by pursuits and in packs rather than in an ambush setting.

Bibliography: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110503203816.htm