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Glite Dictionary
Prototheria

Prototheria

9.9
A group of mammals that lay eggs, like the platypus and echidnas
  • noun
  • /ˌproʊtəˈθɪəriə/
  • Archaic
: Prototerios
  • The platypus and echidnas are classified in Prototheria because they lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young.

Examples

  • Unlike marsupials and placental mammals, Prototheria species have a cloaca for reproduction and excretion.

  • Scientists study the unique features of Prototheria to understand early mammalian evolution.

  • The Prototheria are fascinating creatures.

  • Did you know that Prototheria includes the platypus?

  • Scientists study the unique features of Prototheria to understand early mammalian evolution.

  • The platypus and echidnas are classified in Prototheria because they lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young.

  • Unlike marsupials and placental mammals, Prototheria species have a cloaca for reproduction and excretion.

Synonyms

Monotremata
vsPrototheria
  • Specialized
9.9

Mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth, like the platypus and echidnas

is the equivalent subclass term used for the same taxonomic group
order Monotremata
vsPrototheria
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of egg-laying mammals like the platypus and echidnas

is an interchangeable subclass name for that exact group

Surface Forms

Prototheria singular
Prototheriae plural

Morphology

Prototheria = Theria (opaque) = proto + theria

The base term Theria is a specialized zoological label, so adding proto- does not make the meaning of this taxon transparent to most learners.

Etymology

The word Prototheria comes from Greek parts proto- meaning 'first' and -theria from therion meaning 'beast', just like proto- in prototype means 'first'. So Prototheria means 'first beasts', which helps remember that this group are early mammals that lay eggs, like the platypus and echidnas.