Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Ornithorhynchidae
Obdurodon (extinct)
Ornithorhynchus
Ornithorhyncidae is one of two families in the order Monotremata, and contains all species of platypus. (The other family is the Tachyglossidae, or echidnas). Within Ornithorhynchidae are two genera, Obdurodon and Ornithorhynchus:
- Family Ornithorhynchidae
- Genus Obdurodon -- an ancient branch of the platypus family
- Species Obdurodon dicksoni (extinct)
- Species Obdurodon insignis (extinct)
- Species Obdurodon/Monotrematum sudamericanum (extinct)
- Genus Ornithorhynchus
- Species Ornithorhynchus anatinus (alive but threatened: the modern platypus)
- Genus Obdurodon -- an ancient branch of the platypus family
Another two genera, Steropodon and Teinolophos may also be part of the family Ornithorhynchidae. However, they are both very ancient, and scientific literature seems to indicate that they are closely related to, but not a part of, the Ornithorhynchids.
10-26-2009 08:16:03
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The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details