Dukecynus

Dukecynus is an extinct genus of marsupials belonging to the family Thylacinidae, the same family as the more well-known Tasmanian tiger ( Thylacinus cynocephalus). Fossils attributed to Dukecynus have been discovered in Oligocene deposits in Australia, specifically at Riversleigh, Queensland. It is therefore one of the older known members of the Thylacinidae.

Dukecynus is significant in the study of thylacinid evolution because its features provide insights into the ancestral characteristics of the family. Analysis of its teeth and jaw structure indicates a carnivorous diet, consistent with other members of Thylacinidae. However, certain features differentiate it from later thylacinids, suggesting that it represents an earlier stage in the evolution of the group. The exact phylogenetic relationships of Dukecynus within Thylacinidae are still subject to research and debate.

The name Dukecynus is derived from "Duke," in reference to the Riversleigh World Heritage Area where the fossils were discovered, and "cynus," from the Greek word for dog, referencing the overall appearance of thylacinids.