Flashcards in Lecture 13-Mammals I Deck (19)
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1
What are the defining characteristics of mammals?
-hair (some don't)
-"warm blooded" (endothermic)
-distinct jaw structure (unique to mammals, useful for identifying fossils)
-feed young on milk (unique to mammals)
2
What are the two subclasses of mammals we're talking about?
-Prototheria
-Theria
3
What is the order in the subclass Prototheria?
Monotremata
-only 2 species
-only in Australasia
4
What are the two families of Monotremata?
1. Ornithorhynchidae (platypus)
2. Tachyglossidae (echidna)
5
How long have the Monotremata been around?
130 million yrs
6
What are the two infraclasses of the subclass Theria?
1. Marsupialia
2. Eutheria
7
What are the characteristics of the Theria infraclass Marsupialia?
-females carry their young in pouches
-In Australia: 4 orders, 17 families, approx. 156 known species
8
How old is the oldest known marsupial?
-120 MY
-from N. America and China
-in Australia= 60 MYA
9
What are the four orders of Marsupialia?
1. Paramelina (bandicoots, bilbies)
2. Dasyuromorphia (Tas tiger, Tiger quoll,numbat)
3. Diprotodontia(wombats, kangaroos, koalas)
4. Notoryctemorphia (marsupial moles)
10
What are the characteristics of the Marsupialia order Paramelina?
2 families
1. Paramelidae (bandicoots)
2. Thylacomyidae (bilbies)
-11 species, small animals, 0.5 -3kg , dwell on the ground= this is why many of them are endangered
11
What are the characteristics of the Marsupialia order Dasyuromorphia?
-3 families, 56 species
1. Dasyuridae (dasyurids)
2. Thylacinidae (Tas Tiger)
3. Myrmecobiidae (numbat)
12
What are the characteristics of the Marsupialia order Notoryctemorphia?
-marsupial moles, 2 species
-covergent with european moles in body form
-impossible to catch and have in captivity
-golden fur
-very little known
-more widespread than thought
13
What are the three suborders of the Marsupialia order Diprotodontia?
1.Vombatiformes (wombats and koalas)
2.Phalangeriformes(possums)26sp
3.Macropodiformes (kangaroos, wallabies, potoroos)-56sp
14
What are the five orders of the (subclass) Therian infraclass Eutheria?
1.Chiroptera (fruit bats, microbats)-64sp
2.Rodentia (rats and mice)-64sp
3.Carnivora(dingo, eared seals, earless seals)
4.Cetacea (whales and dolphins)
5.Sirenia (dugongs)
15
How long has the Dingo been in Australia for?
3500-4000yrs (long association with aboriginal people)
16
What is the comparison of the three subclasses of mammals in Australia?
1.Eutherians: 196 species (approx. 55%)
2.Marsupials: 156 species (approx. 44%)
3.Monotremes: 2 species (approx. 1%)
-Eutherian are dominant!, but marsupials are more radiated than anywhere else
17
How many native mammals species are there in Australia?
354 approx.
18
What two groups are Gondwanan?
1. Monotremes
2. Marsupials
19
