Re: Re2: Thylacinids and dasyurids ???

[egood@cc.curtin.edu.au]

On Sun, 29 Oct 1995 RaptorRKC@aol.com wrote:

> >Ping, no. Thank you for playing. The latest analyses show that thylacinids
> >are related to dasyurids which, as a group, maintain the primitive
> >condition of carnivory.
> 
> What are Thylacinids and Dasyurids?  Just wondering.
> 
> Thanks in advance.
> 
> Raptor RKC (Rachel Clark)
> 
> 
Thylacinids are large, carnivorous marsupials who exhibit convergent 
evolution with the canids. They are short legged, with dark brown stripes 
across the rump. The jaws may be opened to a 120 degree angle, and they 
are tireless runners. The best known species of the group is Thylacinus 
cynocephalus, the "Tasmanian Tiger", which supposedly died out in 1933 in 
the wild, and 1936 in captivity. However, given the large number of 
sightings since then, in both Tasmania and mainland Australia, it is very 
likely that some still remain. (Hints of cryptozoology in the air?)

Dasyurids are smaller carnivores, often referred to as native cats. More 
correctly known as quolls, the largest type grows up to 2 and a half feet 
in length. They are often arboreal.Dasyurids also include the Tasmanian 
devil, Sarcophilus harrisi.