Evolution

Evolution

It is believed that the Tasmanian Devil has been around for more than 3,500 years and is scientifically known as Sarcophilus harrisii. This species is thought to have evolved during the Miocene from Australidelphia and Endomarsupialia. Tasmanian Devils are closely related to the Western Quoll but have different variations compared to it. Western Quolls range between 14 to 18 inches in size and just over one pound in weight. Devils are slightly smaller, ranging from 20 to 31 inches in size but weighing between nine and 26 pounds. Western Quolls also have a vestigial structure as well, unlike the Tasmanian Devil. This vestigial structure, the tail. For Tasmanian Devils the tail is used to balance the weight of its body as it crouches or sits. The use of the tail for its related species does not seem to have a function or create a difference in the way it lives. Although speciation between these two animals have occurred, they both share a common ancestor, Dasyuromorphia. Along with the speciation from the Western Quoll, the Tasmanian Devil has gone through many adaptations of their own. One adaptation the devils have made is the ability to climb. It is thought to be an adaptation for young Tasmanian Devils to survive because when there is food shortages and adult devils become very hungry, they may eat their young. Although, as the Tasmanian Devil species continues to grow it becomes increasingly difficult for them to climb. Along with Adaptation we have to consider genetics as well. Throughout time this species has come to have a low genetic diversity compared to other Australian marsupials and placental carnivores.

Resources

• Tasmanian Devil - Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures on Animalia.bio. (n.d.). Animalia.Bio. Retrieved July 15, 2022, from https://animalia.bio/tasmanian-devil#:%7E:text=Tasmanian%20devils%20are%20polygynandrous%20%28promiscuous%29%2C%20which%20means%20that,for%20the%20first%204%20months%20of%20their%20lives.

• Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. (2022, February 11). About the Tasmanian Devil | Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. Nre.Tas.Gov.Au. Retrieved July 16, 2022, from https://nre.tas.gov.au/wildlife-management/save-the-tasmanian-devil-program/about-the-tasmanian-devil#:%7E:text=About%20the%20Tasmanian%20Devil%201%20History.%20Tasmanian%20devils,. . .%206%20Key

• Wikipedia contributors. (2022, July 14). Tasmanian devil. Wikipedia. Retrieved July 16, 2022, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tasmanian_devil#:%7E:text=The%20specific%20lineage%20of%20the%20Tasmanian%20devil%20is,dry%20ice%20age%2C%20resulting%20in%20mass%20extinctions.%20