Mainland thylacine and devil radiocarbon dates, 2013-2015 

This dataset comprises of new, high precision radiocarbon dates for 20 mainland thylacines and 24 mainland devils. Metadata includes museum accession numbers and origin of specimens. We envision that this dataset could be used in studies of paleo-ecological reconstructions and for estimating extinction time for both devils and thylacines on mainland Australia. This dataset includes the youngest reliable fossil ages for both species on mainland Australia as per the criteria set out in Rodriguez-Rey at al (2015). "Criteria for assessing the quality of Middle Pleistocene to Holocene vertebrate fossil ages." Quaternary Geochronology 30 (2015): 69-79. 

We at TERN acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians throughout Australia, New Zealand and all nations. We honour their profound connections to land, water, biodiversity and culture and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We thank the Western Australian Museum, Museum Victoria, the Australian National Wildlife Collection (CSIRO) and M. Bunce (Curtin University) for granting permission to sample subfossil devil and thylacine specimens 

This project will utilize tissue samples held in Australian museums, powerful new genomics and analytical methods, and a network of experts to construct a comprehensive genetic record of the impacts of past climate change during the Last Glacial Maximum on Australian native animals. We need to determine which species and ecosystems were most adversely impacted by rapid climate change and why, the extent of loss of biodiversity and range shifts, and to then incorporate this information into advanced new climate models. This information is key to understanding the resilience of Australian ecosystems, and for efforts to predict and manage existing populations, and to minimize the impact of current climatic trends. 

Accelerated mass spectrometry dating: Subsamples were taken from subfossil specimens held in museum collections. Subsamples were taken using a dremel drill to cut away small bone and tooth fragments and placed in individual sample bags. Contamination was minimised by changing the researcher's gloves and the dremel disc and thoroughly cleaning the work area with bleach between samples. Radiocarbon dating was performed using accelerated mass spectrometry (AMS) at at the Australian National University, the University of Waikato and the Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit. These labs follow the pre-treatment methods outlined in Brock et al (2010), which includes a surface cleaning protocols to further minimise contamination. All AMS measurements were undertaken will controls of known age for quality assurance. Ages are uncalibrated in radiocarbon years BP (Before Present - AD 1950) using the Libby half life of 5568 years with correction for isotopic fractionation applied using the conventions of Stuiver and Polach (1977). Brock, Fiona, et al. "Current pretreatment methods for AMS radiocarbon dating at the Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit (ORAU)." Radiocarbon 52.1 (2010): 103-12. Stuiver, Minze, and Henry A. Polach. "Discussion; reporting of C-14 data." Radiocarbon 19.3 (1977): 355-363.