Difference between revisions of "Monotreme"
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| − | '''Monotremes''' are a small [[relict]] | + | '''Monotremes''' are a small [[relict]]<ref>[http://www.rmki.kfki.hu/~lukacs/MONOTREME.htm MONOTREMES: ABOUT THE ROLE OF PERMOTRIASSIC AND JURA-CRETACEOUS BOUNDARIES IN THE ATHERIAN-THERIAN DIVERGENCE]</ref> group of [[Australasia]]n mammals, consisting of the duck-billed [[platypus]] and the several [[echidna]]s. |
In addition to their unusual physical conformations, monotremes are remarkable for being the only [[mammal]]s to lay [[egg]]s, and to have [[poison]] glands (spurs on the back legs of the male platypus); these were an unpleasant surprise for several early zoologists. A feature is the absence of well-developed [[mammary glands]], the young platypi and echidnae being nourished by nutritious emissions from their mothers unmodified [[sweat gland]]s. | In addition to their unusual physical conformations, monotremes are remarkable for being the only [[mammal]]s to lay [[egg]]s, and to have [[poison]] glands (spurs on the back legs of the male platypus); these were an unpleasant surprise for several early zoologists. A feature is the absence of well-developed [[mammary glands]], the young platypi and echidnae being nourished by nutritious emissions from their mothers unmodified [[sweat gland]]s. | ||
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| + | == References == | ||
| + | {{reflist|2}} | ||
[[Category:Egg-laying Mammals]] | [[Category:Egg-laying Mammals]] | ||
Revision as of 20:15, December 23, 2007
Monotremes are a small relict[1] group of Australasian mammals, consisting of the duck-billed platypus and the several echidnas.
In addition to their unusual physical conformations, monotremes are remarkable for being the only mammals to lay eggs, and to have poison glands (spurs on the back legs of the male platypus); these were an unpleasant surprise for several early zoologists. A feature is the absence of well-developed mammary glands, the young platypi and echidnae being nourished by nutritious emissions from their mothers unmodified sweat glands.