2006-06-17 08:31:24 · 5 answers · asked by virgin6662003 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Long answer: "In 2004, researchers at the Australian National University discovered the Platypus has ten sex chromosomes, compared to two (XY) found in most other mammals (for instance, a male platypus is always XYXYXYXYXY). Furthermore, one of the platypus’s Y chromosomes shares genes with the ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes found in birds. This news has further pronounced the individuality of the Platypus amongst the animal kingdom, and a target for further research into evolutionary links between mammals, birds and reptiles." [1]
Short answer - "Nobody knows for sure." [2]
2006-06-17 10:10:53 · answer #1 · answered by Amar 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ornithorhynchus anatius(duck-billed platypus) which belongs to Order:Monotremata of Class:Mammalia,evolved from a reptilian dinosaur-like creature called Therapsid. I only know that Mammals evolved from Therapsids-but there is no direct evidence that supports the evolution of an Avian creature into a Mammalian one.
2006-06-17 17:06:10 · answer #2 · answered by Miss Mysterious 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Evolutionists insist that the duck-billed platypus is an evolutionary link between mammals and birds.
2006-06-17 08:38:41 · answer #3 · answered by Charmayne E 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dimly recall hearing about an extinct giant platypus.
2006-06-17 10:44:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To Charmayne: no evolutionist thinks there is a missing link between birds and mammals. We know they are distantly related.
2006-06-17 13:47:06 · answer #5 · answered by Oona 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋