Dasyuromorphia

Description

The body size of dasyuromorphs varies considerably, from only 4 grams (0.14 oz) in long-tailed planigale, which is the smallest living marsupial, up to 35 kilograms (77 lb) in the recently extinct thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus). They show considerable morphological diversity, including the kultarr (Antechinomys laniger), which is adapted for hopping locomotion. Members of the group are mostly carnivorous, either feeding on vertebrate prey or arthropods such as insects. The lower molar teeth of dasyuromorphs typically show a carnassial-like morphology. Members of this order are monophyodont, meaning they only have one set of teeth throughout their lives. Each erupting molar must function as a carnassial, before being pushed forward in the jaw by the next erupting molar. Because of this, dasyuromorphs are prevented from adapting some molars for other functions, which may have restricted their diversity relative to carnivorans.