The retina is rod-dominated with some red and blue cones, rhodopsin is the dominant pigment, and there are double cones not found in marsupials or eutherians (Griffiths 1978; Zeiss et al. 2017). Impacts of threatening processes and evidence of declines across the species’ entire range rely almost entirely on two long-term studies of densities, reproduction, age structure, and survival (Grant 2004a; Serena et al. Afterwards, female platypuses construct a nesting burrow where they lay one to three eggs ~12–15 mm diameter and ~15–17 mm long (Burrell 1927), which they incubate ~10 days (Griffiths 1978) before the young hatch. Delineating the thermal tolerance of the species is needed to better predict the impacts of increasing temperatures (Kearney and Porter 2009). Thomas, J. L., K. A. Handasyde, P. Temple-Smith, and M. L. Parrott. Furthermore, it was possible to establish the relatedness among 28 of the individuals from the same river system and estimate a de novo mutation rate of 4.1 × 10−9–1.2 × 10−8/bp/generation, considered intermediate for a mammal, lower than humans and chimpanzees but higher than laboratory mice (Martin et al. The oldest estimate suggests this split may have occurred during the mid-Cretaceous (~80–100 Mya—Musser 2003). 1987; Iggo et al. What would happen if mutations started happening to them? 1992a, 1992b, 2002; Archer et al. While modern platypuses are down under, fossil evidence also shows that an ancient platypus lived in South America. Grant, T. R., G. C. Grigg, L. A. Emergence of mucormycosis, an ulcerative skin condition in Tasmanian platypuses, also raised concern (Connolly 2009). Walsh, C. J., T. D. Fletcher, and M. J. Burns. The drivers of declining distribution and population size for the platypus are many, widespread, and synergistic. It's likely an example of convergent evolution, in which unrelated species evolve similar traits. Klamt, M., J. Davis, R. Thompson, R. Marchant, and T. Grant. 1986; Gregory et al. Long-term decline in geographic distribution and species’ diversity in monotremes and their early descendants. This review began with a conference and workshop at Taronga Zoo that brought together many of Australia’s platypus researchers to discuss the current status and challenges for this unique species. A study of familial relationships marked the beginning of research using the species’ DNA (Gemmell et al. This process includes channel habitat destruction, accumulation of fine sediment (Coleman and Williams 2017), and encroachment of terrestrial vegetation into river channels. Health assessments include external physical examination, collection of parasites, sampling excreta for reproductive hormones, corticosteroid analysis or pathogens, and sampling blood for hematology, serum biochemistry, and serology (e.g., Mucor enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA], Leptospira serovar antibody titers—Connolly et al. Williams, G. A., M. Serena, and T. R. Grant. In South Australia, the species is nearly extinct and is “Endangered” (National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972). The platypus commemorates the Great Spirit for making all the animals different and respecting its wisdom. 1993; Minella et al. The platypus is among the most peculiar animals the world has ever seen. 2001; Milione and Harding 2009). 2003). 2018c). King Ecological Surveys, Oberon, New South Wales, Australia. However, there is no evidence based on fossil biochronology that echidnas even existed as a distinct family prior to about 15 Mya. Despite sweat glands in the skin, platypuses are not able to withstand environmental temperatures exceeding 30°C (Robinson 1954); its crepuscular and nocturnal activities and burrow use during the day are likely strategies to avoid extreme heat (Grant and Dawson 1978; Bethge et al. Gastric glands and the genes involved in gastric function are absent, and there is therefore no acid secreted and peptic digestion, but Brunner’s glands are present at the end of the stomach (Krause 1971). 5. Whittington, R. J., J. H. Connolly, D. L. Obendorf, J. Emmins, T. R. Grant, and K. A. Handasyde. Haematology and blood chemistry of the free-living platypus, Novel venom gene discovery in the platypus, A viral infection causing cytomegalic inclusion disease in the renal epithelium of the platypus (, Serological responses against the pathogenic dimorphic fungus, Age-related change in spurs and spur sheaths of the platypus (, Proteomics and deep sequencing comparison of seasonally active venom glands in the platypus reveals novel venom peptides and distinct expression profiles, The first Tertiary monotreme from Australia, Comparative retinal morphology of the platypus. Thomas, J. L., M. L. Parrott, K. A. Handasyde, and P. Temple-Smith. Had a defensive function in evolutionary history, genetics, biology, and %. ) produced by 88 toxin genes ( Whittington et al G. M., J., K. Handasyde, Davies! N. Stewart, and increased foraging by lactating females in late spring–summer Bethge. 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