Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
The key anatomical difference between monotremes and other mammals gives them their name; monotreme means "single opening" in Greek, referring to the single duct (the cloaca) for their urinary, defecatory, and reproductive systems. Like reptiles, monotremes have a single cloaca.
Monotreme, any member of the egg-laying mammalian order Monotremata, which includes the amphibious platypus and the terrestrial echidnas of continental Australia, the Australian island state of Tasmania, and the island of New Guinea. It is the most ancient living order of mammals.
All of the surviving members of the monotreme group are indigenous to the island of New Guinea and Australia. Four species of echidnas and the duck-billed platypus account for the five monotreme species living in the world today.
Monotreme's Most Obvious Differences From Other Mammals . The most striking difference from other mammals is that monotremes lay eggs. Similar to other mammals, they do lactate (produce milk). But instead of having nipples like other mammals, monotremes secrete milk through mammary gland openings in the skin.
Information about monotremes, including their evolution, characteristics, and examples of species.
The echidna. The Short-beaked echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus is the only species of echidna in Australia. There are three species of Long-beaked echidnas in New Guinea ( Zaglossus attenboroughi, Zaglossus bartoni and Zaglossus bruijni) Echidnas tongues are covered in sticky mucus that makes it easier for them to catch and snack on ants and termites, eating up to two kilograms in one meal.
These mammals derive their name from the Greek word monotreme, which means ‘single opening.’ This term refers to the single duct or cloaca that serves as the common exit point for their urinary, defecatory, and reproductive systems.
The only living monotreme species are the platypus and echidnas (see Figure below and Figure below). They are found solely in Australia and New Guinea (an island not far from Australia). This egg-laying, venomous, duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed mammal is a platypus, a monotreme mammal that reproduces by laying eggs.
The meaning of MONOTREME is any of an order (Monotremata) of egg-laying mammals comprising the platypuses and echidnas.
Monotreme (monos, single + trema, hole) means "single opening" in Greek, and comes from the fact that their urinary, defecatory, and reproductive systems all open into a single duct, the cloaca. Other mammal females have separate openings for reproduction, urination, and defecation.