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Class Mammalia: Recent Mammals I. Characteristics of Major Mammal Taxa: A. Subclass Prototheria 1. Order Monotremata (six species) a. spiny anteaters (Echidna) b. duck-billed platypus 2. shared characteristics with reptiles: a. cloaca - receives products from (3) organ systems b. oviparous; no uterus in female c. no scrotum; internal testes d. no pinna = ear 3. distribution: Australia & New Guinea only B. Subclass Theria 1. characteristics: a. heterodont teeth b. no cloaca c. uterus present d. viviparous e. mammary glands with nipples -vs- milk fields f. fleshy pinna 2. Infraclass Metatheria (pouched mammals); 250 species a. short gestation period; tiny, feeble newborn b. marsupium overlies mammary glands c. restricted to Australia & new world 3. Infraclass Eutheria (placental mammals); 3800 species 1. young born in advanced state 2. no pouch 3. dominate outside Australia 4. (18) orders: 1. Order Insectavora (shrews & moles) 2. Order Chiroptera (bats); 20% of all mammal species 3. Order Rodentia (rodents); 40% of all mammal species 4. Order Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates) 5. Order Carnivora (carnivores) 6. Order Cetacea (whales & dolphins) 7. Order Primates (primates)

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II. Important characteristics of mammals: A. integument (single largest organ of the body): 1. functions: protection from: mechanical injury, water loss/gain, germ resistant barrier, UV radiation; synthesis of Vitamin A, communication, excretion 2. hair- functions: a. insulation b. communication c. sensory (nocturnal spp.) 3. skin glands: a. apocrine glands (sweat)- secrete urea, oils, & proteins; bacterial breakdown results in body odor b. holocrine glands- oil glands often associated with hair follicles c. mammary-modified for feeding, & scent 4. nails, claws, & hooves- beta keratin composition a. functions: protection, traction, & manipulation 5. horns and antlers a. functions: protection, display, & mineral storage 6. melanin - color 7. structure: epidermis, dermis, hypodermis B. skeleton: 1. skull: a. (2) occipital condyles b. single dentary fused as mandible c. teeth: thecodont , heterodont, & diphyodont d. increased fusions e. second, hard palate 2. vertebrae: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, & caudal 3. limbs/girdles: a. (2) pair of limbs; digits on all toes b. plantigrade, digitigrade, & unguligrade locomotion c. fused pelvic elements C. upper & lower eyelids movable D. respiration: lungs; vocalizing larynx; diaphragm E. circulatory system: 1. four chambered heart (double circulation); right = pulmonary circuit; left = systemic 2. non-nucleated red blood cells 3. hepatic portal system present; renal portal system absent F. endothermic G. excretion: metanepric kidney & urinary bladder; urea H. digestion: manipulatory tongue & movable lips; oral glands & saliva; compartmentalized GI tract I. reproduction: 1. internal fertilization 2. scrotum 3. single copulatory organ 4. microscopic amniotic eggs no shell & little yolk