Marsupial sabertooth origins revisited in this experiment
The origin of Thylacosmilus
and other marsupial sabertooth taxa (Fig 1 was never readily and obviously linked to other marsupial taxa in the large reptile tree (LRT, 2338 taxa)… or elsewhere, a situation made worse by the convergence with placental sabertooths.
Figure 1. Skulls of marsupial sabertooths and their relatives in phylogenetic order between Acristatherium and Barbourofelis. In this early lineage both the prefrontal and postfrontal are scored as absent.
” data-medium-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/patagosmilus-thylacosmilus588-2.jpg?w=53″ data-large-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/patagosmilus-thylacosmilus588-2.jpg?w=180″ class=”size-full wp-image-93684″ src=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/patagosmilus-thylacosmilus588-2.jpg” alt=”Figure 1. Skulls of marsupial sabertooths and their relatives in phylogenetic order between Acristatherium and Barbourofelis. In this early lineage both the prefrontal and postfrontal are scored as absent.” width=”584″ height=”3329″ srcset=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/patagosmilus-thylacosmilus588-2.jpg?w=584&h=3329 584w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/patagosmilus-thylacosmilus588-2.jpg 588w” sizes=”(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px” />
Figure 1. Skulls of marsupial sabertooths and their relatives in phylogenetic order between Acristatherium and Barbourofelis. In this early lineage both the prefrontal and postfrontal are scored as absent.
In this phylogenetic experiment
tiny Early Cretaceous marsupial Acristatherium (Fig 1) gives rise to a series of larger arboreal taxa in the LRT paralleling both civets and lemurs while maintaining, at least for the smaller taxa, the ability to hang by a prehensile tail.
Figure 2. Sabertooth marsupial skeletons not to scale.
” data-medium-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/oxyaena.thylacosmilus.borhyaena588.jpg?w=157″ data-large-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/oxyaena.thylacosmilus.borhyaena588.jpg?w=535″ class=”size-full wp-image-93686″ src=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/oxyaena.thylacosmilus.borhyaena588.jpg” alt=”Figure 2. Sabertooth marsupial skeletons not to scale. ” width=”584″ height=”1117″ srcset=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/oxyaena.thylacosmilus.borhyaena588.jpg?w=584&h=1117 584w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/oxyaena.thylacosmilus.borhyaena588.jpg?w=78&h=150 78w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/oxyaena.thylacosmilus.borhyaena588.jpg?w=157&h=300 157w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/oxyaena.thylacosmilus.borhyaena588.jpg 588w” sizes=”(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px” />
Figure 2. Sabertooth marsupial skeletons not to scale.
Although the number of MPTs dropped
by about 50 in this experiment, other clades lost resolution – a common result when working with the mammal subset of the LRT, now on day 436 of revisions.
Source: https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/2025/07/16/marsupial-sabertooth-origins-revisited-in-this-experiment/
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
| Visits: | 1,710,077,611 |
| Stories: | 8,454,121 |
Whistler Blowers, Insiders
