Ecology Lecture 11

The basal mammals

Multituberculates

• About 5,096 species

• 1,188 genera

• 2 subclasses

• Rodents and insectivores are the most speciose

• Broad range of body mass

• 2 grams – 100 tonnes

Subclass: Prototheria

Monotremata- lay egg

Subclass: Theria

--> Marsupialia/ Metatheria: No placenta or transient, Altricial newborn

--> Placentalia /Eutheria: Placenta, Long gestation

Subclass: Prototheria

Order: Monotremata

5 extant species - Australia

• Lay egg and female lactate using modified hairs

•…