How Tasmanian tiger's closest living relative could help resurrect species
For the first time in history, a full genome sequence of the Tasmanian tiger's closest living relative has been mapped, sparking hope the lost species could one day be resurrected.
The numbat genome was fully sequenced by researchers from The University of Western Australia and DNA Zoo Australia in hopes to protect the endangered species — WA's animal emblem.
But there is an added bonus to the development.
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The endangered numbat is the Tasmanian tiger's closest living relative. AAP Image/Department of Environment and Conservation
Numbats and Tasmanian tigers, also known as thylacines, share a common ancestor that lived between 35 million and 41 million years ago.
It's hoped the DNA profile could serve as a "blueprint", of sorts, to clone the thylacine.
Associate Professor Parwinder Kaur, from the University of Western Australia's School of Agriculture and Environment, told 9news.com.au the cloning process is "possible".
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The Tasmanian Tiger was hunted to extinction upon European settlement. Supplied
"It is absolutely possible to bring back the most missed Australian iconic species the thylacine," she said, explaining 95 per cent of numbat and thylacine DNA may be identical.
"Science and technology have come a long way and we surely have got all the knowledge pieces in hand now to fill the gaps in the DNA sequence of thylacine by sequencing its close living relatives like numbat, dunnarts, quolls and Tasmanian devil.
"I would say it is not a science fiction or distant dream to realise however, the more important thing which we've got in hand right now is one million species on the verge of extinction.
"We need to save them first, before we start the Jurassic Park dream."
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The last surviving thylacine, or Tasmanian tiger, 'Benjamin' died alone in its enclosure at Hobart Zoo in 1936. Getty
"Benjamin", the last known thylacine, died from exposure at the Beaumaris Zoo in Hobart on September 7, 1936.
Prior to European settlement, there were an estimated 5000 of the native marsupials roaming the island state but hunting drove the animal to extinction.
Associated Professor Kaur hopes the genomic sequencing will transform numbat conservation efforts.
"With less than 1000 numbats left in the wild, this genomic resource will open new doors for numbat conservation efforts as well as for our scientists on the front line, fighting the very genetic diseases threatening to exterminate numbats," Associate Professor Kaur said.
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