Platypus  38-III
MAMMALIA
Prototheria
 
 
The platypus is one of very few mammals in the order Monotremata.
[© Dr. Philip Bethge]



Chapter Outline
  1. Description of Mammalia
  2. Classification of Mammalia
  3. Prototheria
  4. Metatheria
  5. Eutheria
  6. Afrotheria
  7. Laurasiatheria
  8. Cetartiodactyla
  9. Carnivora
  10. Euarchontoglires
  11. Primates
  12. Hominidae

Tree
NCBI Tree | Paleo Tree



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Mammals are split into two classifications: Prototheria and Theria. Prototheria contains the mammals that do not give birth to live organisms but lay eggs as birds do. Monotremata is the only order of mammals in Prototheria and will be discussed on this page. All other mammals have live birth of some kind and are discussed on following pages.

  • Mammalia
    • Prototheria
      • Monotremata
    • Theria (following pages)
MONOTREMATA  

Monotremata is the order of egg-laying mammals. There are just three species in the order, including two echidnas and the duck-billed platypus.

FAMILY TACHYGLOSSIDAE

  • Short-Beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) - Omaha Zoo - 2016
  • Long-Beaked Echidnas (Zaglossus spp.)
FAMILY ORNITHORHYNCHIDAE
Platypuses are found exclusively in Australia, including in zoos. No U.S. zoos have a platypus.
  • Duck-Billed Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)
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