Monotreme mammals Flashcards

1
Q

What is a monotreme mammal

A

Relates to the presence of a cloaca (one hole for excretion and reproduction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Defining characteristics of monotomes

A

Oviparous: lay eggs

Bony bill or beak (no teeth in adults)

“Ancient” shoulder girdle

Detect prey using electromagnetic sensors in bill/beak

No teats associated with mammary glands

Low body temperature (31-33°C)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Two monotreme mammals examples

A

Platypus - Ornithorhynchidae family

Echidnas - Tachyglossidae

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Platypus history

A

Considered more primitive than echidnas (longer fossil record)

Still widespread

Semi-aquatic

Shelter and rear young in burrows dug into river banks - no pouch

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Platypus anatomical characteristics

A

Skull:
Keratinous dental pads

Elongation of bony snout

Large foramina in skull for nerves to pass to bill

Bill:
Primary sense organ

Other sense often shut down

  • Eyes and ears housed together in horizontal groove shut when foraging underwater
  • Flaps of skin can seal dorsally located nostrils

Feet:
Spur - venom glands - used to poison prey

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Platypus locomotion

A

forelimbs alternate for propulsion, tail and hindlimbs used as a rudder

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Platypus reproductive anatomy

A

Male: internal testes and unique penis structure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Short beaked echidna

A

Widespread in Australia

Terrestrial

Diet: Ants and termites

  • Electro- and touch receptors in skin of their beak
  • Show classic adaptations to this diet (elongated rostrum forming toothless beak; extensible tongue; large front claws)

Activity: mainly crepuscular (dawn and dusk) but varies

Solitary, except during breeding season

Have pouch

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Long beaked echidnas

A

All critically endangered

More variable in size than short-beaked echidna

Beak: longer, with marked downward curvature

Smaller, less numerous spines

Feeds on worms and insect larvae – distal tongue has spines in a deep groove forming a hook for snaring worms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Echidna: Anatomical Characteristics

A

Skull:
Mouth opening - small, opens ventrally, upper and lower jaw joined by ligaments that form a “tunnel” for tongue

Smaller, but more numerous foramen in skull for nerves to pass to beak

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Echidna reproductive anatomy

A

Males: internal testes & unique penis structure

Female: Has pouch

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly