Which group comprises egg-laying mammals such as the platypus?

Prepare for the March Mammal Madness Vocabulary Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations to enhance your learning experience. Get yourself ready for the exciting challenge!

Multiple Choice

Which group comprises egg-laying mammals such as the platypus?

Explanation:
Egg-laying among mammals is a trait found only in a small lineage called monotremes. This group includes the platypus and the echidna, and they reproduce by laying eggs. After hatching, the young feed on milk produced by the mother, but there are no nipples—the milk is secreted onto the skin or milk patches. In contrast, marsupials give birth to very undeveloped young that finish developing in a pouch, while placentals (often called eutherians) develop inside a uterus with a placenta, giving birth to more fully formed offspring. Since the platypus is a member of monotremes, this is the correct group.

Egg-laying among mammals is a trait found only in a small lineage called monotremes. This group includes the platypus and the echidna, and they reproduce by laying eggs. After hatching, the young feed on milk produced by the mother, but there are no nipples—the milk is secreted onto the skin or milk patches. In contrast, marsupials give birth to very undeveloped young that finish developing in a pouch, while placentals (often called eutherians) develop inside a uterus with a placenta, giving birth to more fully formed offspring. Since the platypus is a member of monotremes, this is the correct group.

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