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How is the platypus significant to evolution?
“The platypus is critical to helping us understand what genes were present in the ancestral reptilian lineage and how mammals evolved their particular traits,” Warren said.
How does a platypus disprove evolution?
How does the duck-billed platypus defy evolution, exactly? The reason is simple! Platypuses eat animals such as crayfish, shrimp, various insects, etc. Since they make their homes in freshwater areas, inevitably, they’ll need to find their prey nearby.
Are platypus convergent evolution?
Like eyes, fins and wings, which have evolved independently in a number of different lineages, platypus venom looks to be an example of convergent evolution, says Wesley Warren, a genomicist at Washington University in St Louis, Missouri, who led the study, published in the journal Genome Biology.
What does a platypus evolve from?
In fact, modern monotremes are the survivors of an early branching of the mammal tree, and a later branching is thought to have led to the marsupial and placental groups. Molecular clock and fossil dating suggest platypuses split from echidnas around 19–48 million years ago.
Why is the platypus important?
Not only is the platypus an important freshwater carnivore, it is an evolutionary gem, one of the last remaining monotremes—or egg-laying mammals—left on Earth. And we’ve only begun to discover its wealth of secrets, from life-saving antibiotics in its milk to potential diabetes cures in its venom.
What is the scientific name of a platypus?
Ornithorhynchus anatinus
Platypus/Scientific names
The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) has a puzzling array of features. Not only does it have that iconic duck bill, it lays eggs like a bird or reptile but feeds milk to its young like a mammal.
Are platypus marsupials?
The platypus is also one of the few mammals to produce venom. They make up an evolutionary branch separate from the marsupials (e.g., kangaroos, koalas, and wombats) and placental mammals (the most common type of mammal, which includes everything from squirrels to whales to humans).
What are platypus adaptations?
Platypus is well adapted for semi-aquatic lifestyle. Its streamline body and a broad, flat tail are covered with dense waterproof fur, which provides excellent thermal insulation. The Platypus propels itself through the water by using its front, short, webbed limbs, and the partially-webbed hind feet act as rudders.
Are platypus convergent or divergent?
Warren led a 2010 study that found 83 toxins in platypus venom, which contains genes that resemble the venom genes of other animals, including snakes, starfish, and spiders. It’s likely an example of convergent evolution, in which unrelated species evolve similar traits.
Is the platypus a transitional species?
But the platypus itself is not “transitional”; it has a lot of features that are unique to it, and that function quite well in its environment regardless of whether or not we find them odd. They have presumably been shaped by 100+ million years of good old-fashioned evolution by natural selection.
When did platypus evolve?
about 166 million years ago
The monotremes diverged from other mammals about 166 million years ago and today the platypus is one of the most evolutionarily distinct animals on Earth.
How has the platypus adapted to its environment?
Platypus is well adapted for semi-aquatic lifestyle. Its streamline body and a broad, flat tail are covered with dense waterproof fur, which provides excellent thermal insulation. The Platypus uses its tail for storage of fat reserves and the strong claws on its feet for burrowing and moving on land.