Monotreme: meaning, definitions and examples

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monotreme

 

[ mษ’nษ™หŒtriหm ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

animal classification

Monotremes are a group of egg-laying mammals, which includes species such as the platypus and echidnas. They are characterized by a cloaca, which is a single opening for excretion and reproduction, as well as the ability to lay eggs. Unlike other mammals, monotremes have a more reptilian reproductive strategy.

Examples of usage

  • The platypus is a well-known monotreme native to Australia.
  • Echidnas, also known as spiny anteaters, are another type of monotreme.
  • Monotremes are unique among mammals due to their egg-laying reproductive method.

Translations

Translations of the word "monotreme" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น monotrema

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฎเฅ‹เคจเฅ‹เคŸเฅเคฐเฅ€เคฎ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Monotrem

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ monotrem

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะผะพะฝะพั‚ั€ะตะผะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ monotrem

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅ˜ๅญ”้กž

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท monotrรจme

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ monotrema

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท monotrem

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋‹จ๊ณต๋ฅ˜

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฃุญุงุฏูŠุฉ ุงู„ูุชุญ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ monotrem

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ monotrem

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅ•ๅญ”็ฑป

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ monotrem

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ monotreme

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะผะพะฝะพั‚ั€ะตะผะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒแƒœแƒแƒขแƒ แƒ”แƒ›แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ monotrem

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ monotrema

Etymology

The term 'monotreme' comes from the Greek words 'monos' meaning 'single' or 'one', and 'trema' meaning 'hole' or 'opening'. This is a reference to the single opening, or cloaca, shared by these animals for urinary, reproductive, and digestive functions. The classification of monotremes dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries, when scientists began to formalize the study of mammals. Early naturalists were fascinated by the unique characteristics and reproductive methods of these creatures, which do not fit into the typical definitions of mammals, as they lay eggs instead of giving live birth. The platypus was one of the first monotremes to be described in detail, drawing significant interest due to its unusual features such as a bill resembling that of a duck. Today, monotremes are recognized as a distinct branch of mammals, highlighting the diversity and evolutionary significance of this group.