"However, I am expecting that publication of this paper also will reinvigorate discussions about possibly bringing the extinct Tasmanian tiger back to life," Professor Miller added.
Posted on 01/15/2009 4:33:01 PM PST by presidio9
Scientists have detailed a significant proportion of the genes found in the extinct Tasmanian "tiger".
The international team extracted the hereditary information from the hair of preserved animal remains held in Swedish and US museums.
The information has allowed scientists to confirm the tiger's evolutionary relationship to other marsupials.
The study, reported in the journal Genome Research, may also give pointers as to why some animals die out.
The two tigers examined had near-identical DNA, suggesting there was very little genetic diversity in the species when it went over the edge. I want to learn as much as I can about why large mammals become extinct because all my friends are large mammals
Professor Webb Miller
Although it was hunting that finally drove the Australian animal out of existence, its longevity as a species may already have been fatally compromised, the researchers believe.
The lessons should not be lost on modern conservation efforts, the team says.
"Looking at the genetic diversity in a population is a key marker for endangerment and it should be used to assess the urgency of preservation," Professor Stephan Schuster from Penn State University told BBC News.
Recurring theme
The Tassie tiger (Thylacinus cynocephalus) was dog-like in appearance and striped like a big cat - but in evolutionary terms, it had little in common with either, and was more closely related to kangaroos and koalas.
Wild thylacines were present until the early 1900s; the last known captive specimen died in Hobart Zoo in 1936.
Its recent demise, and the existence of several well-preserved specimens in museums, has led many to speculate that the animal might be the best extinct candidate for attempted resurrection through new molecular science techniques such as cloning.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
"However, I am expecting that publication of this paper also will reinvigorate discussions about possibly bringing the extinct Tasmanian tiger back to life," Professor Miller added.
If you know who is running the cryptozoolog list these days, this definitely belongs there.
That would be interesting.
The first time I saw a picture of a thylacine (30 years ago when I was a kid) I immediately dreamed of the day when they would clone the thing and bring it back to life. One day there will be a zoo of extinct animals, like this one and the mammoth. It will be in Orlando, and it will cost about $200-500 to get in for the day, and everyone will have to wear hospital masks every where they go, but I’ll definitely check it out.
Rumor and some supposed sightings suggest the Tasmanian Tiger may not really be extinct.
Is it me or does the thylacine have a bit of an odd stance? Not dog, not cat, but maybe a bit like the Tasminanian devil? (Haven't seen a picture in some time...)
And, yes, it's closely related to the Tasmanian Devil.
Looks more like a dog than a cat—even a hyena.
Thanks presidio9.
Not much like the Tasmanian devil:
More closely related to a wallaby or a koala than a dog, cat or hyena. Its closest relative in this hemisphere is probably the opossum.
The tylacine's most discinctive feature was its gaping mouth.
“Nice doggie....” LOL
that’s true...
‘Sighting’ Of Tasmanian Tiger Sparks L1.2m Bounty Hunt
The Telegraph (UK) | 3-4-2005 | Anna Gizowska
Posted on 04/02/2005 5:47:25 PM PST by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1376341/posts
The Return Of The Tasmanian Tiger
http://www.science-frontiers.com/sf043/sf043p08.htm
Tigers in western australia?
http://www.science-frontiers.com/sf046/sf046p10.htm
Extinction Discounted
http://www.science-frontiers.com/sf069/sf069b06.htm
Um, when you call him a “doggie,” I’m pretty sure it makes him angry...
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LOL, well I'm sure not going to say, "Nice kitty!" and I'm sure as h*ck NOT going to say:
"Hey, tiger!" *\;-)
aka "Marsupial Wolf", a case of Convergent Intelligent Design.
I found a picture of a tasmanian devil for comparison. You'll note that the tongue did not protude nearly as much on the thylacine. Still they are close relatives.
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