Monotremata Flashcards
Compare/contrast the subclasses Prototheria, Metatheria, and Eutheria
Placenta/reproductive organ configuration
birth/young type
skull
limb posture
mammary glands
brain/corpus callosum
What extant order is contained in the subclass Prototheria?
What are the root words for Prototheria?
What are the root words for the aforementioned order?
What are 7 unique traits of that order?
birth type, sex organ config, mammary, rostrum, eye, dentition, mobility
What is the order Monotremata and what 2 families does it contain?
Describe these 2 families.
When and where were the first fossils of this order found?
Where else can this order be found (3 places) and what explains some of their adaptations for cold?
How many species are there?
What subclass, order, and family is the duck-billed platypus in?
About how big are they?
What is there lifestyle and diet like?
What is unique about their tongue and how they “chew”?
Describe 2 special adaptations of their feet.
What is unique about their digestive system? What about their tail?
What is their birth type and how many do they have typically? Parental care?
What are 3 other adaptations they have for water?
What is there life span? Where do they exist?
subclass: Prototheria
Order: Monotremata
Family: Ornithorhynchidae
What is especially unique and important about the duck-billed platypus bill?
What 2 types of receptors are present and what is each for?
What is one indicator of the importance of these receptors?
electro - detect prey
mechano - detect movement/pressure in water
large proportion of brain dedicated to these receptors
What are echidnas? What is their subclass and order?
How many genera and species of echidna are there?
What are those 2 genera names and describe each.
Where are they found?
What are the root words of the genera names?
What is there lifestyle and diet like?
What adaptations of their feet, tongue, and rostrum support this diet and lifestyle?
They have a panniculus carnosus sheet…what is that?
What is unique about their temperature adaptations and lifespan?
subclass: Prototheria
Order: Monotremata
Describe the configuration of the echidna’s uterus and penis.
How do males determine mating rights?
Describe their eggs.
What special glands do the oviducts have?
Where do the eggs drop out from the female, and how do the young get out of the eggs?
How many eggs do echidnas typically produce?
How does the female’s body temporarily change to accomodate its young?
How do the mothers accomodate for foraging while their young are still suckling?
