Mammal Subclasses Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What order does the Prototheria subclass belong to?

Theria
Dasyuromorphia
Monotremata (correct)
Didelphimorphia

What is a notable feature of the platypus within its subclass?

no lacrimal

Which of the following is an order within the Theria subclass?

Rodentia
Carnivora (correct)
Sirenia
Monotremata

What are the incisors configuration for opossums in the Metatheria infraclass?

5/4 Signup and view all the answers

What is a unique dental feature of the Tasmanian devil?

incisors (3/4), crushing molars Signup and view all the answers

Which mammal from the order Diprotodontia has a large first lower incisor?

kangaroo Signup and view all the answers

What defines the dental pattern of a manatee?

no upper incisor, lophodont teeth Signup and view all the answers

What is the dental trait of hyraxes?

incisors (1/2) with crescent shaped cusps Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishing features do elephants have regarding their teeth?

incisors are tusks, large cheek teeth, no canines Signup and view all the answers

What is unique about the first upper incisor of elephant shrews?

enlarged Signup and view all the answers

What is a dental characteristic of anteaters and sloths in Xenarthra?

no / reduced dentition Signup and view all the answers

What facial feature is notably positioned in monkeys?

orbit forward facing Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of tree shrews related to their incisors?

2nd incisor enlarged Signup and view all the answers

What defines the dental structure of colugos?

comblike lower incisors Signup and view all the answers

Which animal group has perforated maxillae and particular incisor arrangement?

rabbits Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining characteristic of the Rodentia order?

1 upper and lower incisor pair with no canines Signup and view all the answers

What is a distinct feature of shrews in the Eulipotyphia order?

large nasal with expanded maxilla, enlarged 1st upper incisor and 1st & 2nd lower incisors, no palatine Signup and view all the answers

What is characteristic of small bats' cranial structure?

very small with domed cranial Signup and view all the answers

What defines large bats' cheek teeth?

degenerated cheek teeth Signup and view all the answers

What dental features are notable in the order Carnivora?

carnassials, 1st incisor smallest with 3rd incisor largest Signup and view all the answers

What is a dental characteristic shared by rhinos, tapirs, and horses?

alisphenoid canal, lophodont cheek teeth Signup and view all the answers

What do cows and giraffes possess instead of an alisphenoid canal?

selenodont / bunodont Signup and view all the answers

What unique feature do whales and dolphins' skulls have?

skull telescope Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining feature of the nostrils in cetaceans?

high nostrils Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Prototheria and Monotremata

Subclass: Prototheria
Order: Monotremata
Example: Platypus
Notable for lacking lacrimal glands.

Theria and Metatheria

Subclass: Theria
Infraclass: Metatheria
Order: Didelphimorphia
Example: Opossum
Characterized by dental formula: incisors (5/4).

Dasyuromorphia

Subclass: Theria
Infraclass: Metatheria
Order: Dasyuromorphia
Example: Tasmanian devil
Dental features: incisors (3/4) and crushing molars.

Diprotodontia

Subclass: Theria
Infraclass: Metatheria
Order: Diprotodontia
Example: Kangaroo
Distinctive feature: large protruding first lower incisor.

Sirenia

Subclass: Theria
Infraclass: Eutheria
Order: Sirenia
Example: Manatee
Lacks upper incisors and has lophodont teeth.

Hyracoidea

Subclass: Theria
Infraclass: Eutheria
Order: Hyracoidea
Example: Hyraxes
Incisors have a unique structure: (1/2) with crescent-shaped cusps.

Proboscidea

Subclass: Theria
Infraclass: Eutheria
Order: Proboscidea
Example: Elephants
Notable morphology: incisors develop into tusks, lack canines, and possess large cheek teeth.

Macroscelidea

Subclass: Theria
Infraclass: Eutheria
Order: Macroscelidea
Example: Elephant shrew
Unique dentition features: enlarged first upper incisor.

Xenarthra

Subclass: Theria
Infraclass: Eutheria
Order: Xenarthra
Examples: Anteaters and sloths
Recognized by reduced or absent dentition.

Primates

Subclass: Theria
Infraclass: Eutheria
Order: Primates
Example: Monkeys
Denoted by forward-facing orbits.

Scandentia

Subclass: Theria
Infraclass: Eutheria
Order: Scandentia
Example: Tree shrews
Characterized by enlarged second incisors and fully encircled orbits.

Dermoptera

Subclass: Theria
Infraclass: Eutheria
Order: Dermoptera
Example: Colugos (flying lemurs)
Features comb-like lower incisors.

Lagomorpha

Subclass: Theria
Infraclass: Eutheria
Order: Lagomorpha
Example: Rabbits
Notable for perforated maxilla and specific incisor arrangement.

Rodentia

Subclass: Theria
Infraclass: Eutheria
Order: Rodentia
Examples: Squirrels, beavers, other rodents
Dental formula includes one upper and one lower incisor pair, absent canines.

Eulipotyphia

Subclass: Theria
Infraclass: Eutheria
Order: Eulipotyphia
Example: Shrews
Distinguishing features include large nasal area, expanded maxilla, and multiple specialized incisors.

Chiroptera

Subclass: Theria
Infraclass: Eutheria
Order: Chiroptera
Suborder: Microchiroptera
Example: Small bats
Notable for very small body size and domed cranial structure.

Megachiroptera

Subclass: Theria
Infraclass: Eutheria
Order: Chiroptera
Suborder: Megachiroptera
Example: Large bats
Characterized by degenerated cheek teeth.

Carnivora

Subclass: Theria
Infraclass: Eutheria
Order: Carnivora
Examples: Dogs, cats, bears
Recognized for carnassial teeth; the first incisor is the smallest while the third incisor is the largest.

Perissodactyla

Subclass: Theria
Infraclass: Eutheria
Order: Perissodactyla
Examples: Rhino, tapir, horse
Unique features include an alisphenoid canal and lophodont cheek teeth.

Cetartiodactyla

Subclass: Theria
Infraclass: Eutheria
Order: Cetartiodactyla
Suborder: Artiodactyla
Examples: Cows, giraffes
Dentition includes selenodont or bunodont teeth; lacks alisphenoid canal.

Cetacea

Subclass: Theria
Infraclass: Eutheria
Order: Cetartiodactyla
Suborder: Cetacea
Examples: Whales, dolphins
Characterized by homodont teeth, a telescoped skull, and high nostrils.

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Description

Test your knowledge on mammal subclasses with this set of flashcards. This quiz covers various subclasses and their defining characteristics, including orders like Monotremata and Didelphimorphia. Perfect for students of mammalogy or anyone interested in learning about mammals.