thylacinus
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Definition
Noun 1. A genus of extinct carnivorous marsupials: Thylacinus is the genus name for the thylacine, or Tasmanian tiger/wolf, a large, striped, dog-like marsupial predator native to Tasmania and mainland Australia, which is now considered extinct. The term refers specifically to the taxonomic genus.
Usage Examples
- The last known specimen, named Benjamin, died in captivity in 1936.
- Scientists study fossils to understand the evolution of the genus .
- is the full scientific name for the thylacine species.
Advanced Usage
- In scientific taxonomy: The word is used in a formal, binomial nomenclature context, where denotes the genus and is italicized (or underlined). The second part of the name specifies the species (e.g., ).
- The paper described a new fossil potentially belonging to the genus Thylacinus.
Variants and Related Words
- Thylacine (n): The common name for the animal itself, . This is the word most often used outside of strict scientific contexts.
- There are occasional unconfirmed sightings of the thylacine.
- Tasmanian tiger (n): A common name based on its striped back.
- Tasmanian wolf (n): A common name based on its dog-like appearance.
Synonyms
- Tasmanian tiger
- Tasmanian wolf
- Thylacine (when referring to the species )
Related Terms
- Marsupial (n): A type of mammal where the female typically has a pouch for carrying young. The thylacine was a marsupial.
- Genus (n): A rank in biological classification above species and below family. is a genus.
- Extinct (adj): No longer in existence. The thylacine is believed to be extinct.