Function and Constraint in the Marsupial Postcranium

Meg L. Martin, Vera Weisbecker

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

The evolution of marsupial postcranial diversity and adaptation has long been conceptually tied to the ability of the otherwise highly immature neonates to actively move to the mother’s pouch after birth. This requirement is reflected in an unusually well-developed forelimb and anterior postcranial skeleton, which gave rise to the long-standing contention that marsupial postcranial evolution is under a developmental diversity constraint. In this chapter, the knowledge about early developmental processes and heterochrony behind marsupial postcranial development is summarized. This is followed by a discussion of recent finds that do not support the constraints hypothesis, arguing that these shine a new light on the usefulness of marsupial postcranial development in the study of vertebrate postcranial evo-devo. Australian marsupial postcranial diversity in particular is an excellent opportunity to study adaptations to the most common (and in the case of kangaroos, most specialized) locomotor modes in an old and isolated radiation of mammals. This topic is reviewed by providing an overview over the state of knowledge on the function and adaptation of the musculoskeletal system within the main locomotor categories of Australian marsupial mammals: generalized terrestrial quadrupeds, arboreal/scansorial species, gliders, fossorial species, and saltators (hoppers).

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAmerican and Australasian Marsupials
Subtitle of host publicationAn Evolutionary, Biogeographical, and Ecological Approach
EditorsNilton C. Cáceres, Christopher R. Dickman
Place of PublicationCham, Switzerland
PublisherSpringer International Publishing
Chapter10
Pages403-429
Number of pages27
ISBN (Electronic)9783031084195
ISBN (Print)9783031084188
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Keywords

  • Anatomy
  • Biomechanics
  • Constraint
  • Heterochrony
  • Limbs
  • Pouch

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