Thylacine

Until the mid-20th century, the thylacine was the world's largest carnivorous marsupial, and its disappearance has left many questions and contradictions.

Alternately portrayed as a scourge and as a high value commodity, the thylacine's ecology and behaviour were known only anecdotally. In recent years, its taxonomic position, ecology, behaviour and body size have all been re-examined scientifically, while advances in genetics have presented the potential for de-extinction.

With 78 contributors, Thylacine: The History, Ecology and Loss of the Tasmanian Tiger presents an evidence-based profile of the thylacine, examining its ecology, evolution, encounters with humans, persecution, assumed extinction and its appearance in fiction. The final chapters explore the future for this iconic species – a symbol of extinction but also hope.

Foreword
Cultural sensitivity warning
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Preface
Prologue
Introduction: The thylacine in Australian ecosystems
List of contributors

Part 1: Anatomy, biology and ecology
Part 2: Evolution, palaeontology and taxonomy
Part 3: Aboriginal knowledge and archaeology
Part 4: Early European encounters (1792–1829)
Part 5: The bounty years (1830–1914)
Part 6: A rapidly disappearing species (1915–1936)
Colour plates
Part 7: Into the shadows (1937–present)
Part 8: Beyond the present
Part 9: Beyond reality

References
Index