Macropodids are the most diverse group of marsupial herbivores ever to have evolved. They been subject more phylogenetic studies than any other family, yet relationships several key clades remain uncertain. Two important problem areas position merrnine (Lagostrophus fasciatus) and proximity tree-kangaroos rock-wallabies. Our osteological analysis revealed strong support for a plesiomorphic clade (Lagostrophinae subfam. nov.) containing Lagostrophus Troposodon, which is likely originated in...

This article presents the findings of an empirical study that examined learning value a novel group assessment activity aimed at promoting first-year students’ development basic self-directed skills required for university study. A content quiz assignment was designed to enhance capacity ask appropriate questions guide their enquiry, identify resources and tools, draw links between different resources, all embedded within in science unit. Questionnaire data written reflections revealed...

Abstract As snakes are limbless, gape-limited predators, their skull is the main feeding structure involved in prey handling, manipulation and feeding. Ontogenetic changes type size likely to be associated with distinct morphological during growth. We investigated ontogenetic variation diet from stomach contents of 161 Dugite specimens ( Pseudonaja affinis , Elapidae) representing full range body for species, morphology 46 (range 0.25–1.64 m snout-vent-length; SVL). hypothesised that...

Bandicoots and bilbies (Peramelemorphia) represent a distinct lineage within the marsupial adaptive radiation, which despite several curious anatomical traits has received little morphological attention. Many bandicoot species (family Peramelidae) dig for subterranean food, while Thylacomyidae) employ their forelimbs to extensive burrow systems shelter. In current study, dissections of southern brown (Isoodon obesulus) (n = 7) greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) 4) provide first descriptions...

Studies of sexual selection have tended to concentrate on obvious morphological dimorphisms such as crests, horns, antlers, and other physical displays or weapons; however, traits that show no dimorphism may nevertheless still be under selection. Sexual theory generally predicts positive allometry for sexually selected traits. When fighting, male kangaroos use their forelimbs clasp hold opponent and, standing tail, bring up hind legs kick opponent. This action requires substantial strength...

Abstract Bite force is often used as a predictive indicator of an animal's feeding ecology, although the premise that there direct link between diet and cranial morphology can be difficult to test empirically. Studies have examined this question tend rely on generalizations species’ diet, age sex differences are rarely considered. Red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes ) introduced predators in Australia, allowing large sample size collection through culling for comparison skull (size, morphometry,...

Tree-kangaroos (Dendrolagini) are Australasian marsupials that inhabit tropical forests of far north-eastern Queensland and New Guinea. The secondary adaptation tree-kangaroos to an arboreal lifestyle from a terrestrial heritage offers excellent opportunity study the musculoskeletal system for locomotion, particularly template well adapted bipedal saltation. We present detailed descriptive hind limb musculature Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (D. lumholtzi) in comparison other macropodines test...

Abstract The jaw muscles were studied in seven genera of macropodoid marsupials with diets ranging from mainly fungi Potorous to grass Macropus. Relative size, attachments, and lamination within the adductor varied between species. Among macropodine species, muscle proportions vary feeding type. relative mass masseter is roughly consistent, but grazers mixed‐feeders ( Macropus Lagostrophus ) had relatively larger medial pterygoids smaller temporalis than browsers Dendrolagus , Dorcopsulus...

Pentapedal locomotion is the use of tail as a fifth leg during slow gait kangaroos. Although previous studies have informally noted that some smaller species macropodines do not engage in pentapedal locomotion, systematic comparative analysis across wide range this group has been done. Analysis relative movement pelvis, tail, and joint angles lower limbs gait, using 2D landmark techniques on video recordings, was carried out 16 Macropodinae. We also compared lengthening tibia crural index...

The close association between muscle and bone is broadly intuitive; however, details of the covariation two has not been comprehensively studied. Without quantitative understanding how anatomy influences shape, it difficult to draw conclusions significance many morphological traits skeleton. In this study, we investigated these relationships in Quenda (Isoodon fusciventer), a scratch-digging marsupial. We quantified forelimb shape for animals representing range body masses (124-1,952 g)...

Going underground: postcranial morphology of the early Miocene marsupial mole Naraboryctes philcreaseri and evolution

ABSTRACT This paper describes a new tree-kangaroo of the extinct genus Bohra (B. illuminata sp. nov.). Its remains were collected from diverse middle Pleistocene fauna preserved in caves recently discovered beneath Nullarbor Plain south-central Australia. The adult holotype and juvenile paratype are represented by associated cranial postcranial material. They confirm that two previously known species, B. paulae wilkinsonorum, which described on basis disparate parts skeleton, congeneric....

Bohra nullarbora sp.nov. is described from a partial skeleton collected diverse Pleistocene vertebrate assemblage preserved in Leaena's Breath Cave, Nullarbor Plain, Western Australia.It distinguished its contemporary, B. illuminata, by having different cranial proportions, smaller cheek teeth and relatively narrower upper premolar.It also differs number of postcranial attributes, which may reflect slight variation locomotory capabilities.The unexpected discovery that, the recent geological...

Comparative morphological studies can provide insights into an animal’s ecology and evolutionary history. Functional of the kangaroo forelimb are few in number new work could novel tools to aid interpretation fossil taxa understanding history kangaroos marsupials as a whole. A description shoulder musculature tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) with comparisons red rufus Desmarest, 1842), western grey fuliginosus 1817) quokka (Setonix brachyurus Quoy & Gaimard, 1830) is presented. The...

Abstract Tree‐kangaroos are a unique group of arboreal marsupials that evolved from terrestrial ancestors. The recent discovery well‐preserved specimens extinct tree‐kangaroo species (genus Bohra ) within Pleistocene cave deposits south‐central Australia provides opportunity to examine adaptive evolution tree‐kangaroos. Here, we provide the first detailed description functional anatomy forelimb, central component locomotor complex, in extant Dendrolagus lumholtzi , and compare its structure...

Many mammals dig, either during foraging to access subsurface food resources, or in creating burrows for shelter. Digging requires large forces produced by muscles and transmitted the soil via skeletal system; thus fossorial tend have characteristic modifications of musculoskeletal system that reflect their digging ability. Bandicoots (Marsupialia: Peramelidae) scratch‐dig mainly source food, searching subterranean items including invertebrates, seeds, fungi. They features digging,...

Abstract Masticatory muscle features allow for an understanding of how dietary habits and masticatory functions have evolved across mammalian lineages. Herbivorous mammals were traditionally classified as pertaining to either ‘ungulate-grinding’ or ‘rodent-gnawing’ morphotypes, but those classes might not adequately encompass the diversity past present herbivores. We compiled data 104 herbivorous (nine orders, including new 31 species) ten non-herbivorous (five orders) extant species four...

The western grey kangaroo, Macropus fuliginosus, is a large-bodied kangaroo that engages in pentapedal locomotion at low speeds and bipedal hopping high speeds. tail thought to have functional roles both of these modes locomotion. In the acts as ‘fifth limb’ support body weight together with forelimbs while hind limbs are drawn forward. has also been suggested role counterbalance during hopping. On basis for locomotion, caudal musculature was dissected described this study. arrangement...