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Marsupial moles, the Notoryctidae (/ n o ... In an example of convergent evolution, notoryctids resemble (and fill the ecological niche of) ...
The southern marsupial mole (Notoryctes typhlops), also known as the itjaritjari (pronounced [ˈɪɟɐrɪɟɐrɪ]) or itjari-itjari, [3] [4] is a mole-like marsupial found in the western central deserts of Australia. It is extremely adapted to a burrowing way of life. It has large, shovel-like forepaws and silky fur, which helps it move easily.
The marsupial moles have many resemblances to the placental talpid moles and golden moles. [19] [20] Marsupial mulgaras have many resemblances to placental mice. [21] Planigale has many resemblances to the deer mouse. [22] The marsupial Tasmanian devil has many resemblances to the placental hyena or a wolverine. Similar skull morphology, large ...
Weighing just 40-60 grams (1.4-2.1 ounces), “marsupial moles have such modest oxygen requirements that they subsist by breathing the air that flows between sand grains,” Benshemesh wrote.
The Australian animals resemble species known as moles, burrow building mammals found in other continents, and were collectively referred to as 'marsupial moles'. The regional names for the well known animals, established before their published descriptions, are used to refer to the species. [citation needed]
The northern marsupial mole or kakarratul (Notoryctes caurinus) is a marsupial in the family Notoryctidae, an endemic animal of arid regions of Central Australia. It lives in the loose sand of dunes and river plains in the desert, spending nearly its entire life beneath ground. [ 3 ]
As marsupials, these moles are even more distantly related to true talpid moles than golden moles are, both of which belong to the Eutheria, or placental mammals. This means that they are more closely related to such existing Australian marsupials as kangaroos or koalas , and even to a lesser extent to American marsupials, such as opossums ...
An interesting example is that of the marsupial moles (Notoryctidae), golden moles (Chrysochloridae) and northern moles . These are mammals from different geographical regions and lineages, and have all independently evolved very similar burrowing characteristics (such as cone-shaped heads and flat frontal claws) to live in a subterranean ...