This evidence is backed by a jaw-bone of platypus … The scientific name of the platypus is Ornithorhynchus anatinus. Additional traits linking these animals to birds are listed on a separate page of this website which discusses the possibility of bird-mammal hybrids. PLATYPUS (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) (plural: platypuses) The echidna and the platypus are the only two existing monotremes (egg-laying mammals) in the world. Monotremes are a unique order of mammals that includes only three extant species: the duck-billed platypus (Ornithorynchus anitinus), the short-billed echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus), and the western long-billed echidna (Zaglossus bruijni).Like other mammals, monotremes possess a segmented jaw, have three bones that comprise the middle ear, are warm blooded, and lactate. There’s no shortage of verbiage when it comes to describing monotremata—the taxonomic order made up of only two animals, the platypus … One of the reasons behind the platypus’s physiological uniqueness comes from its evolutionary history as a monotreme. Monotremes are not a very diverse group today, and there has not been much fossil information known until rather recently. Fossil discovery and analysis show a slow form of evolution in monotremes compared to other mammals. Monotremes have structural differences in the their digestive tract, jaws and brain. In what way are monotreme mammals (platypus and echidna) similar to more ancestral amniote lineages, as opposed to more recently evolved mammals? Similar electroreceptors are also present in echidnas, which, together with the platypus, make up the mammalian order Monotremata, a unique group with an exceptionally ancient history. Of all monotremes, the platypus has the most sensitive level of electroreception. The platypus shows similar characteristics with the other members of monotremes. Waddling, wriggling, ambling, digging, laying eggs. That is dark billed flat-footed platypus and spiny anteater called echidnas. The platypus is one of Australia's most iconic symbols. Monotremes are divided into two broad categories. All of them are found only in Australia and New Guinea. 'Platys' is Greek for 'flat or broad' and 'pous' means 'foot'. Aquatically adapted platypus-like monotremes probably evolved from a more-generalized terrestrial monotreme. Monotremes are the only mammals known to possess electroreception, a sense that enables them to locate prey by the electric fields generated by its muscle contraction. Believed to originate some 200 million years ago, these furry mammals retain certain reptilian skeletal features. There are only five living monotreme species: the duck-billed platypus and four species of echidna (also known as spiny anteaters). Living monotremes include the platypus and echidnas. Monotremes have scaly skin; other mammals have fur Monotremes must obtain food to feed their young other mammals produce milk to feed offspring Monotremes lay eggs: other mammals bear live young Platypus is a monotreme because it lays eggs and shows differences in the jaws and brain structure with other mammals. The first occurrence in the fossil record of a platypus-like monotreme is from about 110 million years ago, in the early Cretaceous Period , when Australia was … Sensitive electroreceptors are located in the skin of the platypus's bill. As well as the platypus, there is the long-beaked echidna and the short-beaked echidna. The following is a list of traits linking monotremes with birds. Monotremes member are viviparous. platypus Platypus ( Ornithorhynchus anatinus ) eating a worm underwater. It is a monotreme - 'mono' meaning 'one hole', the cloaca, which is used for the elimination of wastes and also for reproduction. 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