Breaking Down the Devil

<p>My PhD is a multimodal deep dive into the anatomy of Australia's large carnivorous marsupials (Order Dasyuromorphia, Family Dasyuridae), specifically the Tasmanian devil (<em>Sarcophilus harrisii</em>), the spotted-tailed quoll (<em>Dasyurus maculatus</em>), and the Eastern quoll (<em>Dasyurus viverrinus</em>). By applying a combination of techniques like dissection and morphometry, I am creating the first modern description of the forelimb musculature of these species. I am documenting my work using state-of the art imaging techniques like surface scanning to produce three-dimensional records of these descriptions. By applying diffusible iodine contrast-enhanced computed tomography (diceCT) and synchrotron-based CT imaging, I am producing high-resolution datasets that preserve the internal soft and hard tissue anatomy of these species in 3D. Ultimately, by analysing extant and fossil samples of <em>Sarcophilus</em>, I am addressing knowledge gaps in their basic biology and evolutionary history from a functional point of view. My work lies at the intersection of vertebrate anatomy, morphometry, biomechanics, and palaeontogy.</p>