Marsupials: Mammals with Pouches Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is a distinctive characteristic common to most marsupial species?

  • The ability to fly
  • The presence of long tails
  • The practice of hibernation
  • The young are carried in a pouch (correct)

Which continent has the highest percentage of Marsupial species?

  • Asia
  • South America
  • Australia (correct)
  • North America

When did placentals and marsupials diverge from each other?

  • Around 100 million years ago
  • Less than 50 million years ago
  • Over 200 million years ago
  • Around 160 million years ago (correct)

Where are the majority of extant marsupial species found?

<p>Australia (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the technical term for the abdominal pouch in marsupials?

<p>Marsupium (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a unique characteristic of the skull of marsupials compared to placental mammals?

<p>Enlarged cheekbone (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the striking anatomical differences between marsupials and eutherians?

<p>Presence of ossified patellae (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the number of teeth in marsupials differ from that of most placental mammals?

<p>Marsupials have a different number of incisors in the upper and lower jaws (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of epipubic bones observed projecting forward from the pubic bone of the pelvis in marsupials?

<p>Muscular approach to movement of hind limbs (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common structural feature observed in most female marsupials?

<p>Front pouch containing multiple teats (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the epipubic bones observed in marsupials?

<p>Muscular approach to hind limb movement (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the number of teeth in many marsupials as compared to most placental mammals?

<p>Significantly more than placental mammals (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common structural feature observed in the skull of marsupials?

<p>Small and tight skull (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a distinctive characteristic of the hard palate in marsupials?

<p>More openings than placental mammals (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which is a major difference in the dental formula of early marsupials compared to modern placental mammals?

<p>$5.1.3.44.1.3.4$ per quadrant (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which continent is home to close to 70% of the extant marsupial species?

<p>Australia (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the technical term for the abdominal pouch in marsupials?

<p>Marsupium (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When did placentals and marsupials diverge from each other?

<p>125 million years ago (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a distinctive characteristic common to most marsupial species?

<p>Carrying young in an external pouch (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following mammals is NOT classified as a marsupial?

<p>Leopard (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Marsupial Characteristics

  • A distinctive characteristic common to most marsupial species is the presence of an abdominal pouch.
  • The majority of extant marsupial species are found in Australia.
  • Placentals and marsupials diverged from each other around 160-180 million years ago.
  • The technical term for the abdominal pouch in marsupials is a marsupium.

Skull Characteristics

  • A unique characteristic of the skull of marsupials compared to placental mammals is the presence of a pair of alisphenoid bones.
  • The skull of marsupials has a distinctive characteristic of having a hard palate that is perforated.

Dental Formula

  • The number of teeth in marsupials differs from that of most placental mammals, with many marsupials having around 40-50 teeth.
  • A major difference in the dental formula of early marsupials compared to modern placental mammals is the presence of more teeth in the former.

Skeletal Characteristics

  • Epipubic bones are observed projecting forward from the pubic bone of the pelvis in marsupials, which function to support the abdominal pouch.
  • A common structural feature observed in most female marsupials is the presence of epipubic bones.
  • The function of epipubic bones is to support the abdominal pouch.

Distribution

  • Close to 70% of the extant marsupial species are found in Australia.

Classification

  • Not all mammals are classified as marsupials, and some mammals do not belong to this group.

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