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A unique feature of the venom is the presence of a D-amino acid. This is the only known such example in mammalian systems. [8] This venom appears to be related to that of several species that are not part of the platypus's evolutionary lineage, such as certain fish, reptiles, insectivores, and spiders, sea anemones, and starfish. [9]
The venom is composed largely of defensin-like proteins (DLPs) produced by the immune system, three of which are unique to the platypus. [49] In other animals, defensins kill pathogenic bacteria and viruses, but in platypuses they are also collected into a venom against predators.
The echidna spurs are vestigial and have no known function, while the platypus spurs contain venom. [42] Molecular data show that the main component of platypus venom emerged before the divergence of platypus and echidnas, suggesting that the most recent common ancestor of these taxa was also possibly a venomous monotreme. [43]
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Platypus venom is likely retained from its distant non-monotreme ancestors, being the last living example of what was once a common characteristic among mammals. [2] Fossil records show that venom delivery systems were not sexually dimorphic in ancestral monotremes. [18]
Police in Australia have urgently appealed to the public to help find a man who allegedly took a platypus from its natural environment and onto a train where he showed it off to fellow commuters.
The definition of "venomous" becomes less distinct here, however, and whether some species are truly venomous is still debated. European mole (Talpa europaea) Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) [a] Eurasian water shrew (Neomys fodiens) Mediterranean water shrew (Neomys anomalus) Northern short-tailed shrew (Blarina brevicauda)
Researchers saw the white platypus 10 times between February 2021 and July 2023, the study said. Several short videos show the rare animal floating along the surface of the river before quickly ...