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Prototheria facts for kids

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Prototheria
Temporal range: Upper Triassic – Recent
Ameisenigel.jpg
Short-beaked Echidna
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
Subclass:
Prototheria

Gill, 1872
Orders

The Prototheria is a former subclass of mammals, now no longer in use. The name comes from Greek prōtos means 'first', and thēr, 'beast'. The only surviving animals in this subclass are the Monotremes.

There are two other subclasses, the Metatheria and the Eutheria. Metatheria contains the marsupials. All the other mammals are Eutherian.

Evidence is accumulating that the Prototheria is not a natural group, but alternative suggestions are not yet agreed.


See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Prototheria para niños

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Prototheria Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.