Phallic Morphology of Dasyuroides-Byrnei and Dasycercus-Cristicauda (Marsupialia, Dasyuridae)

Abstract

On the basis of phallic morphology Dasyuroides byrnei and Dasycercus cristicauda appear to be most similar to Dasykaluta rosamondae among the species of dasyurid marsupials which have been studied in this respect. The anatomy of the penis in all three appears to be primitive. Although the three species group together, there are differences in anatomy which suggest that there is no special relationship between any members of the group. This contrasts with the generally held view that D. byrnei and D. cristicauda are more closely related to each other than to D. rosamondae.