A new molecular/morphological view of animal evolution based on marsupials (2017-2020)
Abstract
This project aims to integrate genetic and skeletal shape data to develop new methods for researching the evolution of animal diversity and for calibrating evolutionary timescales, on a case study of marsupial mammals. Combining high-resolution molecular and shape data to improve on traditional genetics-focused study of animal relationships, the aim is to produce a detailed differentiation between internal and external factors that govern the ability of animals to adapt and diversify. Collating a large, open-source 3D catalogue of the evolving marsupial skeleton, this project stands to provide the most detailed and publicly accessible narrative of the evolutionary past and future adaptability of the mostly Australian marsupials to date.
