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Questions and Answers
What is a distinctive characteristic common to most marsupial species?
Which continent has the highest percentage of Marsupial species?
When did placentals and marsupials diverge from each other?
Where are the majority of extant marsupial species found?
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What is the technical term for the abdominal pouch in marsupials?
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What is a unique characteristic of the skull of marsupials compared to placental mammals?
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What is one of the striking anatomical differences between marsupials and eutherians?
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How does the number of teeth in marsupials differ from that of most placental mammals?
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What is the function of epipubic bones observed projecting forward from the pubic bone of the pelvis in marsupials?
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What is a common structural feature observed in most female marsupials?
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What is the function of the epipubic bones observed in marsupials?
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What is the number of teeth in many marsupials as compared to most placental mammals?
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What is a common structural feature observed in the skull of marsupials?
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What is a distinctive characteristic of the hard palate in marsupials?
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Which is a major difference in the dental formula of early marsupials compared to modern placental mammals?
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Which continent is home to close to 70% of the extant marsupial species?
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What is the technical term for the abdominal pouch in marsupials?
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When did placentals and marsupials diverge from each other?
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What is a distinctive characteristic common to most marsupial species?
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Which of the following mammals is NOT classified as a marsupial?
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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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Description
Test your knowledge about marsupials, the mammalian infraclass Marsupialia, and their distinctive characteristics. Learn about living and extinct marsupial species in this quiz.
