| In this section,
the natural history of the modern thylacine species (Thylacinus cynocephalus)
will be described in detail.
"Thylacine History" tells the story
of the thylacine beginning in 1805 with the earliest written account of
the species, made by Lieutenant Governor William Paterson. It continues
with a discussion of some of the search efforts that have been made for
the thylacine since 1936, the year in which the last captive individual
died.
In "Prehistoric Range of the Thylacine",
the former distribution of the species (which once included mainland Australia
and New Guinea) will be examined. Among the topics featured are ancient
Aboriginal depictions of the thylacine, as well as a summary of the localities
in which prehistoric T. cynocephalus remains have been found.
"Alleged Mainland Thylacine Sightings"
explores some of the various accounts of alleged sightings which suggest
the possibility that the thylacine may still exist on the Australian mainland.
An in-depth discussion of both the external
and internal physical characteristics of the species, from the structure
of its hair to the morphology of its reproductive system, is presented
in the "Thylacine Anatomy" subsection.
"Growth and Development"
describes what is known of the thylacine's early developmental stages,
through historical accounts as well as examination of preserved specimens
in museum collections.
Included in "Thylacine Behaviour"
are some of the observations that were made of individuals that were kept
in captivity, as well as what is known of the animal's hunting methods
and dietary habits in the wild.
"Section Discussion" provides an
overview of the topics covered in this section, expanding on key points.
|
