Diprotodontia

Eastern Grey Kangaroo ( Macropus giganteus)

The DIPROTODONTIA for which there is as yet no German names that are an order of the subclass of the marsupials. With nearly 140 species, they are the most species-rich order of this subclass. They include the well-known marsupials such as kangaroos, koalas and wombats.

Dissemination

DIPROTODONTIA found in Australia and offshore islands, New Guinea, eastern Indonesia ( Sulawesi eastward ) and the Solomon Islands.

Description

The similarities of the DIPROTODONTIA lie in the teeth and in the structure of the foot bones. The name means " two teeth first ," is thus indicated that a great pair of incisors dominates the lower jaw. Another, smaller pair may be present. In the upper jaw usually find six incisors (except for the Wombats ). Another feature is that the second and the third toe of the hind limbs are grown together.

In three families, the Gleitbeutlern, the ring marsupials and the Zwerggleitbeutlern to species with a Gleitmembran have developed.

Food

Most types of DIPROTODONTIA are herbivores. Some species have specialized in insects or the trunk Beutler on nectar.

Reproduction

DIPROTODONTIA are marsupials, which means that after a short gestation period relatively underdeveloped pups are born and grow up protected in its mother's pouch. Most DIPROTODONTIA have well-developed pouch. A special feature that in some families (for example, the kangaroos ) occurs, the delayed birth: Immediately before or after birth, the female mates again, however, the new embryo grows only up to a size of approximately 100 cells approach, then he stop growing. Only when the old cub leaves the bag (or dies ), he continues to grow. In this way, less time expires between the births and the female can take care simultaneously to three cubs, one in the uterus, one in the bag and one outside of the bag.

The families of this order

The order is divided into eleven extant families:

  • Koalas ( Phascolarctidae )
  • Wombats ( Vombatidae )
  • Musky rat kangaroos ( Hypsiprymnodontidae )
  • Rat kangaroos ( Potoroidae )
  • Kangaroos ( Macropodidae )
  • Bilchbeutler ( Burramyidae )
  • Gleitbeutler ( Petauridae )
  • Ring Beutler ( Pseudocheiridae )
  • Zwerggleitbeutler ( Acrobatidae )
  • Climbing Beutler ( Phalangeridae )
  • Trunk Beutler ( Tarsipedidae )

Among the extinct families of DIPROTODONTIA include:

  • Diprotodontidae which numbered about Diprotodon, the size marsupial that ever lived. Other members of the family were Zygomaturus and Hulitherium that belonged to the subfamily of Zygomaturinae. Both survived as Diprotodon also to the late Pleistocene.
  • Palorchaestidae, was the typical representative of the peculiar Beuteltapir ( Palorchestes )
  • Bag lions ( Thylacoleonidae ), which again evolved from herbivorous DIPROTODONTIA for carnivores and its most famous representative was Thylacoleo carnifex.

System

Koalas ( Phascolarctidae )

Diprotodons † ( Diprotodontidae )

Wombats ( Vombatidae )

Rat kangaroos ( Potoroidae )

Kangaroos ( Macropodidae )

Musky rat kangaroo ( Hypsiprymnodontidae )

Climbing Beutler ( Phalangeridae )

Bilchbeutler ( Burramyidae )

Gleitbeutler ( Petauridae )

Trunk Beutler ( Tarsipedidae )

Zwerggleitbeutler ( Acrobatidae )

Ring Beutler ( Pseudocheiridae )

Australidelphia Richard Owen Patagium Pygmy possum Marsupial lion
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