Question

Describe 2 features used by taxonomists to classify brushtail possums and koalas that show that they are in the same order.

Answer 1

Some of the features ​used by taxonomists to classify brushtail possums and koalas into seperate categories are:

1. The caecum lacks internal ridges and cannot separate coarse and fine particles as efficiently as koala that can separate coarse and fine particles.
2. The brushtail possums have wide variety of diet that may include Eucalyptus leaves, flowers, shoots, fruits and seeds, insects, birds eggs etc while the koalas mostly feed on Eucalyptus leaves​.
3. Difference in size and shape of teeth.