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The platypus is a very unique and distinct animal. The platypus is one of only two species of mammals to be able to lay eggs. Also the platypus has venomous spurs that are not very common in mammals. The platypus lives a semi-aquatic lifestyle. The evolution of the platypus is very unique as well because the platypus is the only species of its kind. The group of platypuses is called the monotremes, of which only five species are in that group today. The platypus is a very unique animal and my findings on the animal were enjoyable.

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There are many traits the platypus has inherited through natural selection to be bale to survive and pass on its traits. These include electroreception, webbed feet, waterproof fur, and venomous spurs that I have already gone over.

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Through genome sequencing for the platypus, the relationships between other species and platypuses has been discovered. It was discovered that the platypus is a mammal, a very unique mammal. The platypus shows close evolutionary relationships with other mammals including monotremes, and marsupials. Molecular adaptations also include venom producing, ability to lay eggs, and electroreception.

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There are two main vestigial organs in the platypus. The first one is the eyes, the eyes in the platypus have becomes virtually useless over the course of its evolution. The platypus relies on its other senses mainly including electroreception. The other vestigial organ or structure would be the claws located on their webbed feet, these may have been used for a different purpose from their ancestors. They are now a lot smaller and don't really serve a purpose since the webbed feet are used for swimming and diving.

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The homologous structures in platypuses are all almost derived from mammals. These structures include the forelimbs which are similar to many other mammal species, reproductive organs which include ovaries and the uterus. The mammary glands in female platypuses differs from other mammals, but they serve the same function and purpose.

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Reducing the effects of genetic drift for platypuses is essential. Platypuses are very vulnerable to genetic drift and it can affect their populations. Platypuses are slowly becoming endangered and genetic drift is slowly affecting their populations. It is important to minimize the affects.

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Females choosing a mate is not usually a hard decision for them and are not particularly picky. They will usually go for the most dominant male in their area. However males usually engage in some sort of competition to choose a female, this may include establishing territories, and some sort of fighting. The most dominant platypus will usually be the one to mate and pass on their traits.

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An example of convergent evolution for the platypus would be the fact that the platypus has venomous spurs. The platypus has almost no relation to animals with venomous abilities, the platypuses environment just required that the platypus inherits that trait.

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In the case of parallel evolution, the platypus has inherited the trait of electroreception which is also inherited from fish and aquatic animals. Even though the platypus is a mammal, the platypus still inherited this trait because the platypus lives a semi-aquatic lifestyle.

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The platypus is a great example of divergent evolution. The platypus has inherited traits from many different animal groups. From the mammal group, platypuses nurture their young with milk. While a typical mammal has teats to provide milk, the platypus sweats milk to feed their young. It also inherits traits from reptiles such as having the ability to lay eggs, and having venomous spurs.

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There is not much documented on the migration and gene flow of the platypus as well as other species. Platypuses are native to freshwater habitats of Australia. This includes rivers, streams, and lakes. Platypuses are know to colonize near by areas within their ability, this introduces the ability to exchange genetic material. The gene flow of platypuses is very limited as well due to so many isolated populations from human intervention and other factors. They have low chances to exchange their genetic material between populations.

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The platypus has adapted to be able to swim to suit their environment, they use the water to forage for food including insects, etc. They also have dense, waterproof fur that keeps the platypus well insulated.

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Traits that the platypus has inherited include, webbed feet, lays eggs, venomous spur, and 10 sex chromosomes.

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Traits that the platypus has inherited include, webbed feet, lays eggs, venomous spur, and 10 sex chromosomes.

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There are no other species of platypus. However there are four sub-species of platypuses that are also monotremes. These five species are the only mammals alive that lay eggs, and the only monotremes. These four sub species are the echidnas.

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There has been multiple mutations in the platypus throughout its evolutionary course. Some of these mutations include egg laying, which is not common in mammals at all. It is likely that the platypus inherited this from a past ancestor and is one of the few mammals who retained that trait. Another one of these mutations include venomous spurs, male platypuses have venomous spurs on their rear limbs, this was caused by a mutation in their toxin-producing genes.

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MODERN PLATYPUS ( ORNITHORHYNCHUS ANATINUS )

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MODERN PLATYPUS ( ORNITHORHYNCHUS ANATINUS )

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The modern platypus is very similar to the previous platypus, except the modern platypus has no teeth.

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The Riversleigh Platypus was a large, spoon billed platypus from the Riversleigh area of Australia. These are very closely related to the modern platypus, except they had molar teeth. This platypus is thought to have lived 10-15 million years ago.

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The obdurodon insignis was a monotreme discovered in the Tirari Desert in Australia. This monotreme resembles the modern platypus, except for the fact that the platypus does not have molar teeth, or any teeth at all. This monotreme is though to have lived around 25 million years ago

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The monotrematum is only known for its teeth, discovered in Argentina in 1992. The teeth resemble the molars of the steropodon and the obdurodon, which was a monotreme later discovered. This monotreme is thought to have lived around 63 million years ago.

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The steropodon galmani was a platypus like monotreme, the first Mesozoic mammal found in Australia.  It had an opalised jaw with molar teeth. The teeth of the steropodon was similar to later platypuses discovered. This monotreme is thought to have lived around 110 million years ago.

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The teinolophus trusleri was the smallest, oldest, and most primitive member of the monotremes. A monotreme is a mammal that lays eggs and has no teats. This monotreme is thought to have lived around 123 million years ago. Monotremes are the foundation of the platypuses evolution.