What is the nature of the evidence linking Thylacoleo to modern 'Phantom Cat' sightings?
Answer
Anecdotal and observational reports conflating two different entities
The persistent idea that a surviving population of *Thylacoleo* might be responsible for modern 'Phantom Cat' or Alien Big Cat (ABC) sightings is rooted in speculation that conflates two distinct concepts. The scientific knowledge of *Thylacoleo* is based entirely on verifiable, extinct fossil specimens from the Pleistocene. In contrast, ABC reports are purely anecdotal and observational. The scientific consensus holds that the likelihood of a large, conspicuous predator like the marsupial lion remaining undetected throughout modern times, given the thoroughness of the fossil record for that era's megafauna, is extremely low.
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To which mammalian order did Thylacoleo carnifex belong taxonomically?What unique dental structure characterized Thylacoleo's killing mechanism?What evolutionary concept explains Thylacoleo's feline appearance despite being unrelated to cats?What distinctive feature is suggested for Thylacoleo's forelimbs that aided in grasping prey?What period of geological time did Thylacoleo carnifex inhabit before its extinction?What is the approximate time frame for the disappearance of Thylacoleo carnifex?Which modern animal is Thylacoleo evolutionarily closer to than the true lion, Panthera leo?What did the genus name Thylacoleo translate roughly to, reflecting its historic misidentification?What characteristic of Thylacoleo's dental work did it share with rodents?What is the nature of the evidence linking Thylacoleo to modern 'Phantom Cat' sightings?