Monotreme
Monotreme
Monotreme (pronunciation: /ˈmɒnəˌtriːm/) is a type of mammal that lays eggs instead of giving birth to live young. The term is derived from the Greek words 'monos' meaning single and 'trema' meaning hole, referring to the single opening for their reproductive and excretory systems.
Etymology
The term "Monotreme" is derived from the Greek words 'monos' (single) and 'trema' (hole). This refers to the unique characteristic of monotremes, which have a single opening, known as the cloaca, for their reproductive, urinary, and excretory systems.
Classification
Monotremes are one of the three main groups of living mammals, along with placental mammals and marsupials. They are further classified into two families: Ornithorhynchidae (the platypus) and Tachyglossidae (echidnas or spiny anteaters).
Characteristics
Monotremes are unique among mammals in that they lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young. They also have other distinctive features, such as a single opening (the cloaca) for their reproductive, urinary, and excretory systems, and a lower body temperature than other mammals.
Related Terms
- Mammal: A warm-blooded vertebrate animal of a class that is distinguished by the possession of hair or fur, the secretion of milk by females for the nourishment of the young, and (typically) the birth of live young.
- Placental Mammal: Mammals that give birth to live young that have been nourished in the womb by a placenta.
- Marsupial: A mammal of an order whose members are born incompletely developed and are typically carried and suckled in a pouch on the mother's belly.
- Ornithorhynchidae: The family of mammals that includes the platypus.
- Tachyglossidae: The family of mammals that includes the echidnas or spiny anteaters.
- Cloaca: A common cavity at the end of the digestive tract for the release of both excretory and genital products in vertebrates (except most mammals) and certain invertebrates.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Monotreme
- Wikipedia's article - Monotreme
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