Alistair Evans

Associate Professor (Research), School of Biological Sciences Alistair.Evans@monash.edu

Biography

Alistair is a Senior Research Fellow and ARC Future Fellow. His research areas of interest include functional morphology, particularly of mammalian teeth, 3D imaging and analysis, morphological evolution, evolution and development (evo-devo), body mass evolution and evolutionary rates.

articles

Jaws of death: How carnivorous mammals’ canines evolved to make them killers

Canine teeth have evolved in special ways to help each mammal species kill and eat their favourite prey – helping to make them some of nature’s most successful predators.

Science

A snake facing the camera with mouth open and fangs showing

How snake fangs evolved to perfectly fit their food

Some snakes have tough, blunt fangs for cracking crabs, while others have sharp needles for getting a grip on mice.

Science

Stylised image of a Tasmanian tiger and wolf facing each other

Like a jackal in wolf’s clothing: The Tasmanian tiger was no wolfish predator

The Tasmanian tiger's superficial appearance was so similar to a wolf's that European colonists assumed it was a threat, and hunted it to extinction.

Science

Growing pains: A discovery that could help us look forward in evolution

Teeth, horns, claws, beaks, shells and even plant prickles – a new rule of biological growth could help us predict how animals, including humans, and their many parts are likely to evolve.

Science

Episode 35: All Worked Up

In this episode of the What Happens Next? podcast, our investigation looks into the future of the gig economy.

What Happens Next?

The massive claw bone of Palorchestes azael

Ancient megabeast had unique elbows unlike any other mammal

A new study shows Palorchestes azael had unique elbows unlike any other mammal – which may have contributed to its extinction.

Medicine and health