Additional Parts of The Type Specimen of Thylacinus macknessi (Marsupialia: Thylacinidae) From Miocene Deposits of Riversleigh, Northwestern Queensland.

Abstract

A revised diagnosis and description of Thylacinus macknessi Muirhead, 1992 is presented following recovery of the previously unknown anterior half of the holotype. This provides the most completely represented lower dentition of a species of thylacinid other than T. cynocephalus. The new part of the holotype further confirms the thylacinid nature of this taxon by displaying additional features that in combination are only known in that family. The molar and premolar region suggest that selection pressure to elongate the face and shearing crest system were greater at the front of the dentition. This specialisation differs significantly from that of most dasyurids which appear to have been under pressure to shorten the facial region by premolar Joss.