When you hear the word ‘’tiger’’ you probably think of a powerful feline with stripes that lives in the jungles of Asia. However, the Tasmanian tiger (also known as thylacine) was very different because even though it had stripes and it looked like a wolf, it wasn’t a feline. Although ‘’tiger’’ is included in its name, it was a marsupial, which means it was closely related to kangaroos and the Tasmanian devil. The last Tasmanian tiger died in captivity in 1936 and since then it has become a global symbol of extinction.
For decades, it was believed that this species disappeared because of human hunting, habitat destruction, and competition with dogs (dingoes). But new genetic research shows that the truth is far more complicated. So, let’s learn more about the story of this animal, shall we?
A tiger in trouble since millions of years ago
A team of scientists from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research in Bhopal analyzed the genome of the Tasmanian tiger, this is like the guide in its DNA). The result? The marsupial had already lost its fundamental genes to survive 6 million years ago! These genes were related to:
Fighting off viruses and diseases.
Processing fats for energy.
Producing strong, nutritious milk for its young.
Protecting against health problems like cancer or pancreatitis.
Although the it looked like a predator on the outside, its DNA hid some weaknesses that made it more vulnerable with time.
Living in a difficult world
When the tiger was losing its genes, Australia was going through serious climate changes. The continent experienced glaciations and long periods of drought that transformed ecosystems. Many species could adapt, but the marsupial… with such a weak DNA it struggled to keep up.
As humans reached Australia, the Tasmanian tiger had already had a very low genetic diversity. This means it didn’t have enough variations in its DNA to resist new diseases, rivals or environmental changes. Basically, this marsupial was a victim of human hunting, but also its destiny was already set due to its own biology.
Tasmania
For centuries, this marsupial could survive on Tasmania island, a place free from dingos where this species could have a break. However, its genetic issues didn’t disappear, so when European settlers arrived with their guns, traps, and livestock, the tiger didn’t have any chances to recover.
Lesson learnt from this story
The new study changes the way we understand extinction because we tend to believe that a species disappear just because of humans. As you have seen, the Tasmanian tiger proves that evolution can be the reason for an animal’s extinction.
Nowadays, this idea is really important because many species could be losing genetic diversity without even knowing it. Of course, we need to have a healthy ecosystem, but if our animals lack diversity in their DNA, a disease or climate change could end with them.
This is why scientists insist on the need to study the genome of threatened species because extinction doesn’t always start with a bullet or a trap, but with silent mutations that nobody knows until it’s too late.
The tiger’s legacy
The Tasmanian tiger will be remembered for its strange look (a mix of wolf, tiger, and marsupial) and the lesson it taught us. Today, fewer than 14,000 Tasmanian tigers’ closest relatives—the Tasmanian devils—remain in the wild. So, the story of the Tasmanian tiger is a reminder: if we want to prevent more extinctions, we must act now to protect both animals and their genetic diversity. Have you ever heard about this animal? It is an incredible story, isn’t it?