Extinct Tasmanian Tiger Cousin May Have Hunted Prey Larger Than Itself

Posted on April 9, 2014

Nimbacinus dicksoni is a member of Thylacinidae an extinct family of Australian and New Guinean marsupial carnivores. Scientists recovered a million year old preserved skull of N. dicksoni from the Riversleigh World Heritage Fossil Site in northwestern Queensland, Australia. They determined that N. dicksoni was more likely to hunt large prey than small prey.

The researchers used virtual 3D reconstruction techniques and computer modeling to reconstruct the skull of Nimbacinus. They compared it to models of living marsupial carnivores (Tasmanian devil, spotted-tailed quoll and northern quoll), and to the recently extinct Tasmanian tiger, N. dicksoni's close relative. The researchers found that the similarity in mechanical performance of the skull between N. dicksoni and the largest quoll, the spotted-tailed quoll, was greater than the similarity to the Tasmanian tiger. The authors suggest that N. dicksoni, a medium-sized marsupial (about 5 kilograms), had a high bite force for its size, was predominantly carnivorous, and was likely capable of hunting vertebrate prey that exceeded its own body mass.

The research was published here in PLoS One by Marie Attard from the University of New England together with colleagues from the University of New South Wales.

Dr. Attard says in a statement, "Our findings suggest that Nimbacinus dicksoni was an opportunistic hunter, with potential prey including birds, frogs, lizards and snakes, as well as a wide range of marsupials. In contrast, the iconic Tasmanian tiger was considerably more specialized than large living dasyurids and Nimbacinus, and was likely more restricted in the range of prey it could hunt, making it more vulnerable to extinction."

A description of Nimbacinus dicksoni can also be found here on the Australian Museum website.

ANIMALS