Developmental changes through an animal's life are generally understood to contribute to
the resulting adult morphology. Possible exceptions are species with complex life cycles …

Body mass is rarely recorded in amphibians, and other body measurements (eg snout to
vent length, SVL) are generally collected instead. However, length measurements, when …

Adaptive radiation is a key topic at the intersection of ecology and evolutionary biology. Yet
the definition and identification of adaptive radiation both remain contentious. Here, we …

Background Quantifying morphological diversity across taxa can provide valuable insight
into evolutionary processes, yet its complexities can make it difficult to identify appropriate …

Burrowing is one of the many locomotor modes of frogs (order Anura) and is found within
many clades. Burrowing is generally categorized into two groups: forward-burrowing and …

The Australian continent's size and isolation make it an ideal place for studying the
accumulation and evolution of biodiversity. Long separated from the ancient supercontinent …

Sexual dimorphism (SD) is a common feature of animals, and selection for sexually
dimorphic traits may affect both functional morphological traits and organismal performance …

In tetrapods, fusion between elements of the appendicular skeleton is thought to facilitate
rapid movements during running, flying, and jumping. Although such fusion is widespread …

Aim Shifts in diversification rates of Australian flora and fauna have been associated with
aridification, but the relationship between diversification rates and aridity has never been …

Anurans (frogs and toads) have a unique pelvic and hind limb skeleton among tetrapods.
Although their distinct body plan is primarily associated with saltation, anuran species vary …