Platypus

Species of mammal

For other uses, see Platypus (disambiguation).

Platypus

Temporal range: Pliocene–Recent

PreꞒ

Platypus swimming in waters near Scottsdale, Tasmania

Conservation status

Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)[1]

Scientific classification
Domain:  | Eukaryota
Kingdom:  | Animalia
Phylum:  | Chordata
Class:  | Mammalia
Order:  | Monotremata
Family:  | Ornithorhynchidae
Genus:  | Ornithorhynchus
Blumenbach, 1800
Species:  |

O. anatinus

Binomial name
Ornithorhynchus anatinus

(Shaw, 1799)

Platypus range
(red – native, yellow – introduced)
Synonyms[2][3]

* Platypus anatinus Shaw, 1799
* Ornithorhynchus paradoxus Blumenbach, 1800
* O. novaehollandiae Lacépède, 1800
* O. fuscus Péron, 1807
* O. rufus Péron, 1807
* O. paradoxi Meckel, 1826
* O. crispus MacGillivray, 1827
* O. laevis MacGillivray, 1827
* O. brevirostris Ogilby, 1832
* O. agilis de Vis, 1886
* O. phoxinus O. Thomas, 1923
* O. triton O. Thomas, 1923

The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus), sometimes referred to as the duck-billed platypus, is a semiaquatic, egg-laying mammal endemic to eastern Australia, including Tasmania. The platypus is the sole living representative or monotypic taxon of its family Ornithorhynchidae and genus Ornithorhynchus, though a number of related species appear in the fossil record. Together with the four species of echidna, it is one of the five extant species of monotremes, mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young. Like other monotremes, the platypus has a sense of electrolocation, which it uses to detect prey in cloudy water. It is one of the few species of venomous mammals, as the male platypus has a spur on the hind foot that delivers an extremely painful venom.

The unusual appearance of this egg-laying, duck-billed, beaver-tailed mammal at first baffled European naturalists. In 1799, the first scientists to examine a preserved platypus body judged it a fake made of several animals sewn together. The unique features of the platypus make it important in the study of evolutionary biology, and a recognisable and iconic symbol of Australia. It is culturally significant to several Aboriginal peoples, who also used to hunt it for food. It has appeared as a national mascot, features on the reverse of the Australian twenty-cent coin, and is an emblem of the state of New South Wales.

The platypus was hunted for its fur, but it has been a legally protected species in all states where it occurs since 1912. Its population is not under severe threat, although captive-breeding programs have had slight success, and it is vulnerable to pollution. It is classified as a near-threatened species by the IUCN, but a November 2020 report has recommended that it be upgraded to threatened species under the federal EPBC Act, due to habitat destruction and declining numbers in all states.

## Taxonomy and naming

[edit]

See also: Plural form of words ending in -us § Platypus

Australian Aboriginal people name or have named the platypus in various ways depending on Australian indigenous languages and dialects. Among the names found: boondaburra, mallingong, tambreet, watjarang[4] (names in Yass, Murrumbidgee, and Tumut),[5] tohunbuck (region of Goomburra, Darling Downs),[5] dulaiwarrung[6] or dulai warrung (Woiwurrung language, Wurundjeri, Victoria),[7] djanbang (Bundjalung, Queensland),[7] djumulung (Yuin language, Yuin, New South Wales),[7] maluŋgaŋ (ngunnawal language, Ngunnawal, Australian Capital Territory)[7], biladurang, wamul, dyiimalung, oornie, dungidany (Wiradjuri language, Wiradjuri, Vic, NSW),[7] oonah,[8] etc. The name chosen and approved in Palawa kani (reconstructed Tasmanian language) is larila.[9]

When the platypus was first encountered by Europeans in 1798, a pelt and sketch were sent back to Great Britain by Captain John Hunter, the second Governor of New South Wales.[10] British scientists' initial hunch was that the attributes were a hoax.[11] George Shaw, who produced the first description of the animal in the Naturalist's Miscellany in 1799, stated it was impossible not to entertain doubts as to its genuine nature,[12] and Robert Knox believed it might have been produced by some Asian taxidermist.[11] It was thought somebody had sewn a duck's beak onto the body of a beaver-like animal. Shaw even took a pair of scissors to the dried skin to check for stitches.[13][12]

The common name "platypus" literally means 'flat-foot', deriving from the Greek word platúpous (πλατύπους),[14] from platús (πλατύς 'broad, wide, flat')[15][a] and poús (πούς 'foot').[16][17] Shaw initially assigned the species the Linnaean name Platypus anatinus when he described it,[12] but the genus term was quickly discovered to already be in use as the name of the wood-boring ambrosia beetle genus Platypus.[18] It was independently described as Ornithorhynchus paradoxus by Johann Blumenbach in 1800 (from a specimen given to him by Sir Joseph Banks)[19] and following the rules of priority of nomenclature, it was later officially recognised as Ornithorhynchus anatinus.[18]

There is no universally agreed plural form of "platypus" in the English language. Scientists generally use "platypuses" or simply "platypus". Alternatively, the term "platypi" is also used for the plural, although this is a form of pseudo-Latin;[13] going by the word's Greek roots the plural would be "platypodes". Early British settlers called it by many names, such as "watermole", "duckbill", and "duckmole".[13] Occasionally it is specifically called the "duck-billed platypus". There is no official term for platypus young, but the term "platypup" sees unofficial use, as does "puggle".[20][21]

The scientific name Ornithorhynchus anatinus literally means 'duck-like bird-snout',[12] deriving its genus name from the Greek root ornith- (όρνιθ ornith or ὄρνις órnīs 'bird')[22] and the word rhúnkhos (ῥύγχος 'snout', 'beak').[23] Its species name is derived from Latin anatinus ('duck-like') from anas 'duck'.[12][24] The platypus is the sole living representative or monotypic taxon of its family (Ornithorhynchidae).[25]

* A book for children published in Germany in 1798

* Illustration from the first scientific description in 1799

* Colour print from 1863

## Description

[edit]

Platypus skeleton

Most of the platypus' small streamlined body is covered with short, dense, brown, fur that traps a layer of insulating air to keep the animal warm, but in and out of water.[13][18][26]: 1  The fur coat is waterproof and consists of flattened guard hairs and curvy underfur hairs.[18][26]: 2  It is one of the most densely furred mammals, behind only otters.[27] It is also biofluorescent and glows cyan and green when under ultraviolet light.[28] The duck-like bill consists of a long snout and lower jaw which is covered in soft skin. The nostrils are located near the tip of the snout's dorsal surface, while the eyes and ears are just behind the snout in a groove which closes underwater.[18] Its has cheek pouches for storing food. The platypus's wide and flatten tail is compared to a beaver's but is furry rather than scaly;[3] it stores fat reserves and can act as a rudder during swimming.[18][26]: 4  The legs are short and have a sprawling stance. Webbing is more significant on the front feet, which in land walking are folded up in knuckle-walking to protect the webbing.[26]: 2, 4 [29]

The platypus has a interclavicle in the shoulder girdle, a trait which they share in common with reptiles.[26]: 7  As in many other aquatic and semiaquatic vertebrates, the bones show osteosclerosis, increasing their density to provide ballast.[30] Modern adult platypuses lack teeth and instead have heavily keratinised food-grinding pads.[18] Young have one premolar and two molars on each maxillae and three molars on the dentaries. The first upper and third lower cheek teeth, with only one major cusp, while the rest have two.[31] They lose their teeth around the time they leave their natal burrow.[18]

Male platypuses have an average length of 50 cm (20 in) and weight of 1,700 g (3.7 lb), while females are the smaller with an average length of 43 cm (17 in) and weight of 900 g (2.0 lb).[18] The species follows Bergmann's rule, with individuals getting larger farther south where it is colder, though there are local variations.[32] The platypus has an average body temperature of about 32 °C (90 °F), lower than the 37 °C (99 °F) typical of placental mammals.[33] Research suggests this has been a gradual adaptation to harsh environmental conditions among the few marginal surviving monotreme species, rather than a general characteristic of past monotremes.[34][35]

The platypus has a single opening, called a cloaca, for both the reproductive and waste systems.[26]: 32–33  The male platypus has penile spines and an asymmetrical glans penis that is larger on the left side.[36] The female has two ovaries, with the right one being non-functional.[36][37] Teats are absent on the female.[18]

* Diving

* Surfacing

### Senses

[edit]

The platypus has secondarily acquired electroreception. Its receptors are arranged in stripes on its bill, giving it high sensitivity to the sides and below; it makes quick turns of its head as it swims to detect prey.[38]

Monotremes are the only mammals (apart from the Guiana dolphin[39]) known to have a sense of electroreception.[40][38] The playtpus relies on electrolocation when feeding, as the eyes, ears, and nose are closed while underwater.[41][42] Digging in the bottom of streams with its bill, its electroreceptors detect tiny electric currents generated by the muscular contractions of its prey.[38] Experiments have shown the platypus will even react to an "artificial shrimp" if a small electric current is passed through it.[43]

The 40,000 electroreceptors are located arranged in rows in the skin of the bill from front to back, while mechanoreceptors for touch are uniformly distributed across the bill. The electrosensory area of the cerebral cortex is in the tactile somatosensory area, and some cortical cells receive input from both electroreceptors and mechanoreceptors, suggesting the platypus feels electric fields like touches. These receptors in the bill dominate the somatotopic map of the platypus brain, in the same way human hands dominate the Penfield homunculus map.[27][44] The platypus can feel the direction of an electric source, perhaps by comparing differences in signal strength across the sheet of electroreceptors, enhanced by the characteristic side-to-side motion of the animal's head while hunting. It may also be able to determine the distance of moving prey from the time lag between their electrical and mechanical pressure pulses.[38] Monotreme electrolocation for hunting in murky waters may be tied to their tooth loss. The extinct Obdurodon was electroreceptive, but unlike the modern platypus it foraged in open water.[45]

The eyes of the platypus have basal traits found in lungfish and amphibians, such as scleral cartilage, and double cones with droplets.[46] The platypus's eyes are small and shut under water, though several features indicate its ancestors relied on vision. As with other aquatic mammals, the eye has a flattened cornea and surrounding lens, while the posterior surface of the lens is sharp inclined. A temporal (ear side) concentration of retinal ganglion cells, important for binocular vision, indicates a vestigial role in predation, though the actual visual acuity is insufficient for such activities. Limited acuity is matched by low cortical magnification, a small lateral geniculate nucleus, and a large optic tectum, suggesting that the visual midbrain plays a more important role than the visual cortex, as in some rodents. These features suggest that the platypus has adapted to an aquatic and nocturnal lifestyle, developing its electrosensory system at the cost of its visual system. This contrasts with the small number of electroreceptors in the short-beaked echidna, which dwells in dry environments, while the long-beaked echidna, which lives in wetter habitats is intermediate between the other two monotremes.[27]

The ears of the platypus are entirely adapted for airborne hearing.[27] As in all true mammals, it has three middle ear bones, though the cochlea lacks spirals,[18] but is descripted as "well organised". Within the cochlea, their are rows of inner and outer hair cells. Like in placental mammals, the outer hair cells of the platypus are adapted for hearing high frequencies, suggesting it is an ancestral mammalian trait. However it also possesses more rows of inner hair cells.[27] The olfactory (smelling) systems of the platypus and the echidna independently evolved from an ancestor with less advanced smelling. The main olfactory bulb of the platypus lacks the complex layers of the echidna while both the piriform cortex and flaps (lamella) are simpler. Monotremes differ from placental mammals in that their mitral cells are distributed throughout the outer plexiform layer of the olfactory bulb rather than packed as a monolayer.[47]

### Venom

[edit]

Main article: Platypus venom

The calcaneus spur on the male's hind limb is used to inject venom.

While both male and female platypuses are born with back ankle spurs, only the males retain them into adulthood.[3] Similar spurs are found on many archaic mammal groups, indicating that this was an ancient general characteristic among mammals.[48] The spurs of the male injects venom, which is powerful enough to inflict pain in humans.[3] Starting from the wounded area, the affect limb develops edema (swelling via fluid buildup) which can lead to an excruciating hyperalgesia (heightened sensitivity to pain) which can last as long as months.[49]

The venom is composed largely of defensin-like proteins (DLPs) produced by the immune system, some of which are unique to the species.[50] It is produced in a kidney-shaped alveolar glands located in each of the thighs of the hind limbs and connected to the spur.[18] The venomous spurs of male platypus serve as weapon in battles with other males for breeding.[3][49]

## Distribution and habitat

[edit]

The playtpus is native to the freshwaters of eastern Australia, from Queenland to Tasmania.[3][51] It was considered extinct on the South Australian mainland, with the last sighting recorded at Renmark in 1975.[52] In the 1980s, John Wamsley created a platypus breeding program in Warrawong Sanctuary (see below), which subsequently closed.[53][54] In 2017 there were some unconfirmed sightings downstream from the sanctuary,[52] and in October 2020 a nesting platypus was filmed inside the recently reopened sanctuary.[55]

There is a population on Kangaroo Island[56] introduced in the 1920s, said to stand at 150 individuals in the Rocky River region of Flinders Chase National Park. In the 2019–20 Australian bushfire season, large portions of the island burnt, decimating wildlife. However, SA Department for Environment and Water recovery teams worked to reinstate their habitat, with a number of sightings reported by April 2020.[57] The platypus has almost dispappeared from in the Murray–Darling Basin, possibly due to poor water management.[58] Platypuses can be found in a variety of freshwater habitats including rivers, streams, lakes and lagoon-like pools. The surrounding terrestrial environment includes tropical rainforests and colder alpine areas.[3]

## Ecology and behaviour

[edit]

Swimming underwater at Sydney Aquarium, Australia

The platypus is semiaquatic and needs permanent freshwater to live.[3] It has a swimming style unique among mammals, propelling itself by stroking each of its front feet, one after the other, while the webbed hind feet and tail are used for steering.[59] It can maintain its relatively low body temperature when feeding in depths even colder at below 5 °C (41 °F).[18] In one study, dives lasted on average around 35 seconds, with surfacing intervals averaging 13 seconds.[60] The species is mainly nocturnal but is also active at dusk during the summer and daytime during winter. Platypuses may spend half of their days in the water and then retreat into their burrows, which they construct by digging into the bank. These vary between simple resting banks and complex nesting/breeding burrows.[3][18][61] It may have a range of up to 7 km (4.3 mi), with a male's home range overlapping those of three or four females.[62] Platypuses are not very vocal; they are recorded to growl when disturbed and squeak when feeling pain.[27]

The platypus is a carnivore and forages by probing along the bottom. It feeds on insect larvae, annelid worms, shrimp, crayfish, bivalves, tadpoles and fish eggs. It stores food into its cheek pouches for later consumption.[3][61] In captivity, platypuses have survived to 30 years of age, and wild specimens have been recaptured when 24 years old.[63] They are preyed on by eels, snakes, goannas, birds of prey, crocodiles, feral cats and foxes.[26]: 49  Parasites and viruses also impact their mortality, though platypuses appear to have a high tolerance of them. Externally, platypuses may carry fleas, mites and ticks, the latter being more prominent in young.[3] The platypus is a prominent host of for the tick species Ixodes ornithorhynchi.[64] Internally, the species hosts various protozoans, trematodes and nematodes.[3]

### Reproduction

[edit]

Platypus's nest with eggs (replica)

Platypuses are seasonal breeders, population more southern-living populations breed later in the year than those further north; those in New South Wales mate during fall and winter.[61] Investigations have found both resident and transient platypuses, and suggest a polygynous mating system.[65] Females are believed to become sexually mature at two years of age and continue to breed at over nine years of age.[65] During copulation, the male swims behind the female and grabs their tail with his bill, positions his own tail under her from the side and, then grips her neck or shoulder and intercourse follows.[66]: 17–19  The female retreats into a nesting/breeding burrow, which can be 30 m (98 ft) long, to lay eggs and raise young[3][18] and builds a nest made of grass.[67] At first, European naturalists could hardly believe that the female platypus lays eggs, but this was finally confirmed by William Hay Caldwell in 1884.[18][50]

Most mammal zygotes go through holoblastic cleavage, splitting into several divisible daughter cells. However, monotremes like the platypus, along with reptiles and birds, undergo meroblastic cleavage, in which the ovum does not split completely. The cells at the edge of the yolk remain continuous with the egg's cytoplasm, allowing the yolk and embryo to exchange waste and nutrients with the egg through the cytoplasm.[68][69] The female normally lays two small, leathery eggs about 17 mm (21⁄32 in) long. The eggs develop in utero for about 28 days, followed by a 10 day external incubation.[37] The female curls around the incubating eggs,[26]: 34  and the embryo continues to develop.[69] Newly hatched platypuses are vulnerable, blind, and hairless, and are fed by the mother's milk, which is more solid than in placental mammals and provides all the requirements for growth and development.[18][70][71] With no teats, milk is released through pores in the skin and the young lap it up on her fur.[72] The offspring are milk-fed for around four months; a minority of young are weaned after they exit the burrow but usually within five days.[67]

During incubation and weaning, the mother initially leaves the burrow only for short periods to forage. She leaves behind her a number of thin soil plugs along the length of the burrow; pushing past these on her return squeezes water from her fur and allows the burrow to remain dry.[72][67] The females spends less time with her offspring after five weeks, who emerge from the burrow around four months.[73] At this point, they are fully cover in hair and may be around 67% the weight of an adult and 80% the length.[18] Juvenile males disperse further than females.[74] They are fully grown at around two years of age.[66]: 28

## Evolution

[edit]

|  |

|  |

|  |

Platypus

|

Echidnas

live birth

|  |

Marsupials

|

true placenta

Placentals

Evolutionary relationships between the platypus and other mammals[75]

In separate publications in 1934, 1947 and 1951, William King Gregory theorised that placental mammals and marsupials may have diverged earlier, and a subsequent branching divided the monotremes and marsupials, but later research and fossil discoveries have suggested this is incorrect.[76][77] In fact, modern monotremes are the survivors of an early branching of the mammal tree, and a later branching is thought to have led to the marsupial and placental groups.[76][78] Both Molecular clock and fossil dating suggest platypuses split from echidnas around 19–48 million years ago.[79]

Reconstruction of ancient platypus relative Steropodon

The oldest discovered fossil of the modern platypus dates back to about 100,000 years ago during the Quaternary period, though a limb bone of Ornithorhynchus is known from Pliocene-aged strata.[80] The extinct monotremes Teinolophos, Steropodon and Kollikodon from the Cretaceous are considered to be basal to the platypus and echidnas.[81] The fossilised Steropodon was discovered in New South Wales and is composed of an opalised lower jawbone with three molar teeth (whereas the adult contemporary platypus is toothless). The molar teeth were initially thought to be tribosphenic, which would have supported a variation of Gregory's theory, but later research has suggested, while they have three cusps, they evolved under a separate process.[82] The fossil jaw of Teinolophos is elongated but unlike the modern platypus (and echidnas), it lacked a beak.[83]

In 2024, Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian)-aged fossil specimens of actual early platypus relatives were recovered from the same rocks as Steropodon, including the basal Opalios and the more derived Dharragarra, the latter of which may be the oldest member of the platypus family Ornithorhynchidae, as it retains the same dental formula found in Cenozoic platypus relatives.[84] Monotrematum and Patagorhynchus, two other fossil relatives of the platypus, are known from the latest Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) and the mid-Paleocene of Argentina, indicating that some monotremes managed to colonize South America from Australia when the two continents were connected via Antarctica. These are also considered potential members of the platypus Ornithorhynchidae.[82][85][84] The closest fossil relative of the platypus was Obdurodon, known from the late Oligocene to the Miocene of Australia. It closely resembled the modern platypus, aside from the presence of molar teeth.[84] A fossilised tooth of the giant platypus Obdurodon tharalkooschild was dated 5–15 million years ago. Judging by the tooth, the animal measured 1.3 metres long, making it the largest platypus on record.[86][87]

The loss of teeth in the modern platypus has long been enigmatic, as a distinctive lower molar tooth row was previously present in its lineage for over 95 million years. Even its closest relative, Obdurodon, which otherwise closely resembles the platypus, retained this tooth row. More recent studies indicate that this tooth loss was a geologically very recent event, occurring only around the Plio-Pleistocene (around 2.5 million years ago), when the rakali, a large semiaquatic rodent, colonized Australia from New Guinea. The platypus, which previously fed on a wide array of hard and soft-bodied prey, was outcompeted by the rakali for hard-bodied prey such as crayfish and mussels. This competition may have selected for the loss of teeth in the platypus and their replacement by horny pads, as a way of specializing for softer-bodied prey, over which the rakali did not compete with it.[84]

### Genome

[edit]

Because of the early divergence from the therian mammals and the low numbers of extant monotreme species, the platypus is a frequent subject of research in evolutionary biology. In 2004, researchers at the Australian National University discovered that the platypus has ten sex chromosomes, compared with two (XY) in most other mammals. These ten chromosomes form five unique pairs of XY in males and XX in females, i.e. males are X1Y1X2Y2X3Y3X4Y4X5Y5.[88] One of the X chromosomes of the platypus has great homology to the bird Z chromosome.[89] The platypus genome also has both reptilian and mammalian genes associated with egg fertilisation.[42][90] Though the platypus lacks the mammalian sex-determining gene SRY, a study found that the mechanism of sex determination is the AMH gene on the oldest Y chromosome.[91][92] A draft version of the platypus genome sequence was published in Nature on 8 May 2008, revealing both reptilian and mammalian elements, as well as two genes found previously only in birds, amphibians, and fish. More than 80% of the platypus's genes are common to the other mammals whose genomes have been sequenced.[42] An updated genome, the most complete on record, was published in 2021, together with the genome of the short-beaked echidna.[93]

## Conservation

[edit]

### Status and threats

[edit]

Except for its loss from the state of South Australia, the platypus occupies the same general distribution as it did prior to European settlement of Australia. However, local changes and fragmentation of distribution due to human modification of its habitat are documented. Its historical abundance is unknown and its current abundance difficult to gauge, but it is assumed to have declined in numbers, although as of 1998 was still being considered as common over most of its current range.[61] The species was extensively hunted for its fur until the early years of the 20th century. Although the species gained legal protections beginning in Victoria in 1890[94] and throughout Australia by 1912,[95] until about 1950 it was still at risk of drowning in the nets of inland fisheries.[96] The use of opera house traps for catching yabbies by recreational fishers is banned in the ACT, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria, and restricted in NSW and Queensland, due to causing the drowning death of platypuses and other non-target species.[97]

The International Union for Conservation of Nature recategorised its status as "near threatened" in 2016.[1] The species is protected by law, but the only state in which it is listed as endangered is South Australia, under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. In November 2020 a recommendation was made to list the platypus as a vulnerable species across all states[98] with a vulnerable listing being made official in Victoria under the state's Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 on 10 January 2021.[99]

#### Habitat destruction

[edit]

The platypus is not considered to be in immediate danger of extinction, because conservation measures have been successful, but it could be adversely affected by habitat disruption caused by dams, irrigation, pollution, netting, and trapping.[100] Reduction of watercourse flows and water levels through excessive droughts and extraction of water for industrial, agricultural, and domestic supplies are also considered a threat. The IUCN lists the platypus on its Red List as "Near Threatened"[1] as assessed in 2016, when it was estimated that numbers had reduced by about 30 percent on average since European settlement. The animal is listed as endangered in South Australia, but it is not covered at all under the federal EPBC Act.[101][102]

Researchers have worried for years that declines have been greater than assumed.[101] In January 2020, researchers from the University of New South Wales presented evidence that the platypus is at risk of extinction, due to a combination of extraction of water resources, land clearing, climate change and severe drought.[103][104] The study predicted that, considering current threats, the animals' abundance would decline by 47–66% and metapopulation occupancy by 22–32% over 50 years, causing "extinction of local populations across about 40% of the range". Under projections of climate change projections to 2070, reduced habitat due to drought would lead to 51–73% reduced abundance and 36–56% reduced metapopulation occupancy within 50 years respectively. These predictions suggested that the species would fall under the "Vulnerable" classification. The authors stressed the need for national conservation efforts, which might include conducting more surveys, tracking trends, reduction of threats and improvement of river management to ensure healthy platypus habitat.[105] Co-author Gilad Bino is concerned that the estimates of the 2016 baseline numbers could be wrong, and numbers may have been reduced by as much as half already.[101]

A November 2020 report by scientists from the University of New South Wales, funded by a research grant from the Australian Conservation Foundation in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund Australia and the Humane Society International Australia revealed that that platypus habitat in Australia had shrunk by 22 per cent in the previous 30 years, and recommended that the platypus should be listed as a threatened species under the EPBC Act.[98][106] Declines in population had been greatest in NSW, in particular in the Murray–Darling basin.[107][98]

#### Disease

[edit]

Platypuses generally suffer from few diseases in the wild; however, as of 2008 there was concern in Tasmania about the potential impacts of a disease caused by the fungus Mucor amphibiorum. The disease (termed mucormycosis) affects only Tasmanian platypuses, and had not been observed in platypuses in mainland Australia. Affected platypuses can develop skin lesions or ulcers on various parts of their bodies, including their backs, tails, and legs. Mucormycosis can kill platypuses, death arising from secondary infection and by affecting the animals' ability to maintain body temperature and forage efficiently. The Biodiversity Conservation Branch at the Department of Primary Industries and Water collaborated with NRM north and University of Tasmania researchers to determine the impacts of the disease on Tasmanian platypuses, as well as the mechanism of transmission and spread of the disease.[108]

### Wildlife sanctuaries

[edit]

Much of the world was introduced to the platypus in 1939 when National Geographic Magazine published an article on the platypus and the efforts to study and raise it in captivity. The latter is a difficult task, and only a few young have been successfully raised since, notably at Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria. The leading figure in these efforts was David Fleay, who established a platypusary (a simulated stream in a tank) at the Healesville Sanctuary, where breeding was successful in 1943.[109] In 1972, he found a dead baby of about 50 days old, which had presumably been born in captivity, at his wildlife park at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast, Queensland.[110] Healesville repeated its success in 1998 and again in 2000 with a similar stream tank.[111] Since 2008, platypus has bred regularly at Healesville,[112] including second-generation (captive born themselves breeding in captivity).[113] Taronga Zoo in Sydney bred twins in 2003, and breeding was again successful there in 2006.[111]

### Captivity

[edit]

As of 2019, the only platypuses in captivity outside of Australia are in the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in the U.S. state of California.[114][115] Three attempts were made to bring the animals to the Bronx Zoo, in 1922, 1947, and 1958. Of these, only two of the three animals introduced in 1947, Penelope and Cecil,[116] lived longer than eighteen months.[117]

## Human interactions

[edit]

### Usage

[edit]

Aboriginal Australians used to hunt platypuses for food (their fatty tails being particularly nutritious), while, after colonisation, Europeans hunted them for fur from the late 19th century until 1912, when it was prohibited by law.[118] In addition, European researchers captured and killed platypus or removed their eggs, partly in order to increase scientific knowledge, but also to gain prestige and outcompete rivals from different countries.[98]

### Cultural references

[edit]

The platypus has been a subject in the Dreamtime stories of Aboriginal Australians, some of whom believed the animal was a hybrid of a duck and a water rat.[119]: 57–60

According to one story of the upper Darling River,[98] the major animal groups, the land animals, water animals and birds, all competed for the platypus to join their respective groups, but the platypus ultimately decided to not join any of them, feeling that he did not need to be part of a group to be special,[119]: 83–85  and wished to remain friends with all of those groups.[98] Another Dreaming story emanate of the upper Darling tells of a young duck which ventured too far, ignoring the warnings of her tribe, and was kidnapped by a large water-rat called Biggoon. After managing to escape after some time, she returned and laid two eggs which hatched into strange furry creatures, so they were all banished and went to live in the mountains.[98]

The platypus is also used by some Aboriginal peoples as a totem, which is to them "a natural object, plant or animal that is inherited by members of a clan or family as their spiritual emblem", and the animal holds special meaning as a totem animal for the Wadi Wadi people, who live along the Murray River. Because of their cultural significance and importance in connection to country, the platypus is protected and conserved by these Indigenous peoples.[98]

The platypus has often been used as a symbol of Australia's cultural identity. In the 1940s, live platypuses were given to allies in the Second World War, in order to strengthen ties and boost morale.[98]

Platypuses have been used several times as mascots: Syd the platypus was one of the three mascots chosen for the Sydney 2000 summer Olympics along with an echidna and a kookaburra,[120] Expo Oz the platypus was the mascot for World Expo 88, which was held in Brisbane in 1988,[121] and Hexley the platypus is the mascot for the Darwin operating system, the BSD-based core of macOS and other operating systems from Apple Inc.[122]

Since the introduction of decimal currency to Australia in 1966, the embossed image of a platypus, designed and sculpted by Stuart Devlin, has appeared on the reverse (tails) side of the 20-cent coin.[123] The platypus has frequently appeared in Australian postage stamps, most recently the 2015 "Native Animals" series and the 2016 "Australian Animals Monotremes" series.[124][125]

In the American animated series Phineas and Ferb, the title characters own a pet bluish-green platypus named Perry who, unknown to them, is a secret agent. Such choices were inspired by media underuse, as well as to exploit the animal's striking appearance;[126] additionally, show creator Dan Povenmire, who also wrote the character's theme song, said that its opening lyrics are based on the introductory sentence of the Platypus article on Wikipedia, copying the "semiaquatic egg-laying mammal" phrase word for word and appending the phrase "of action";[127] however, the article did not include "egg-laying mammal" in the lead sentence until 2014, several years after the song released. As a character, Perry has been well received by both fans and critics.[128][129] Coincidentally, real platypuses show a similar cyan colour when seen under ultraviolet lighting.[130]

* Platypus fur cape made in 1890, now in the National Gallery of Victoria

* Early 20th-century matchbox label

* 9d postage stamp from 1937

## See also

[edit]

* Henry Burrell
* Ellis Joseph
* Fauna of Australia

## Footnotes

[edit]

1. ^ The same root gives rise to platysma, a broad, wide and flat muscle of the neck.

## Citations

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## References

[edit]

### Books

[edit]

* Augee, Michael L. (2001). "Platypus". World Book Encyclopedia.
* Burrell, Harry (1974). The Platypus. Adelaide SA: Rigby. ISBN 978-0-85179-521-8.
* Fleay, David H. (1980). Paradoxical Platypus: Hobnobbing with Duckbills. Jacaranda Press. ISBN 978-0-7016-1364-8.
* Grant, Tom (1995). The platypus: a unique mammal. Sydney: University of New South Wales Press. ISBN 978-0-86840-143-0.
* Griffiths, Mervyn (1978). The Biology of the Monotremes. Academic Press. ISBN 978-0-12-303850-0.
* Hutch, Michael; McDade, Melissa C., eds. (2004). "Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia: Lower metazoans and lesser deuterosomes". Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia. Vol. 12: Mammals III. Gale. ISBN 9780787657772. OCLC 1089554968.
* Moyal, Ann Mozley (2004). Platypus: The Extraordinary Story of How a Curious Creature Baffled the World. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-8052-0.
* Strahan, Ronald; Van Dyck, Steve (April 2006). Mammals of Australia (3rd ed.). New Holland. ISBN 978-1-877069-25-3.

### Documentaries

[edit]

* "Southern Exposure". Eye of the Storm. 2000. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 7 May 2013. DVD EAN 9398710245592
* "El Niño". Eye of the Storm. 2000. Archived from the original on 28 February 2013.

## External links

[edit]

* Biodiversity Heritage Library bibliography for Ornithorhynchus anatinus
* Platypus facts (archived 10 September 2019)
* View the platypus genome in Ensembl
* PBS Nature "The Platypus Guardian"

* v
* t
* e

Mammalia

* Kingdom: Animalia
* Phylum: Chordata
* Clade: Synapsida
* Clade: Therapsida
* Clade: Cynodontia
* Clade: Mammaliaformes

| Synapsida|

*     * see Synapsida

Cynodontia|

*     * see Cynodontia

Mammalia|

*     * see below↓

Mammalia

| Australosphenida?|

* †Ambondro
* †Tendagurutherium?
* Monotremata?

†Henosferidae|

* Asfaltomylos
* Henosferus

†Ausktribosphenidae|

* Ausktribosphenos
* Bishops?
* Kryoparvus?

Monotremata|

| †Kollikodontidae?|

* Kollikodon
* Kryoryctes?
* Sundrius

|

†Steropodontidae|

* Parvopalus?
* Steropodon

†Teinolophidae|

* Stirtodon?
* Teinolophos

Ornithorhynchoidea|

* †Opalios

Ornithorhynchidae|

* †Dharragarra?
* †Monotrematum?
* †Obdurodon
* Ornithorhynchus
* †Patagorhynchus?

Tachyglossidae|

* †Megalibgwilia
* †Murrayglossus
* Tachyglossus
* Zaglossus

†Allotheria?|

*     * see Allotheria
* includes multituberculates

Theriimorpha|

*     * see below↓

Theriimorpha

Theriimorpha

* †Acinacodus
* †Amphidon
* †Amphilestes
* †Aploconodon
* †Chaoyangodens
* †Comodon
* †Condorodon
* †Dyskritodon?
* †Fruitafossor?
* †Hakusanodon
* †Indotriconodon
* †Juchilestes
* †Jueconodon
* †Kemchugia
* †Kryptotherium
* †Liaoconodon
* †Liaotherium
* †Manchurodon
* †Nakunodon
* †Phascolotherium
* †Sangarotherium
* †Tendagurodon
* †Allotheria?
* Monotremata?

†Gobiconodontidae|

* Fuxinoconodon
* Gobiconodon
* Hangjinia
* Huasteconodon?
* Meemannodon
* Repenomamus
* Spinolestes

†Jeholodentidae|

* Jeholodens
* Yanoconodon

†Klameliidae?|

* Ferganodon
* Klamelia

†Triconodontidae|

* Alticonodon
* Arundelconodon
* Astroconodon
* Corviconodon
* Eotriconodon
* Jugulator
* Meiconodon
* Priacodon
* Triconodon
* Trioracodon
* Victoriaconodon
* Volaticotheria?

†Volaticotheria|

* Argentoconodon
* Ichthyoconodon
* Triconolestes?
* Volaticotherium

†Tinodontidae|

* Gobiotheriodon?
* Tinodon
* Trishulotherium
* Yermakia

Trechnotheria|

* Monotremata?

†Zhangheotheriidae|

* Anebodon
* Kiyatherium
* Maotherium
* Ningchengodon
* Origolestes
* Zhangheotherium

†Spalacotheriidae|

* Akidolestes
* Aliaga
* Cifellitherium
* Heishanlestes
* Infernolestes
* Lactodens
* Shalbaatar
* Spalacolestes
* Spalacotheridium
* Spalacotherium
* Spalacotheroides
* Symmetrodontoides
* Symmetrolestes
* Yaverlestes

Cladotheria|

*     * see below↓

Cladotheria

| †Dryolestida|

* Brancatherulum?
* Dorsetodon
* Drescheratherium
* Euthlastus
* Henkelotherium
* Paurodon
* Tathiodon

Dryolestidae|

* Achyrodon
* Amblotherium
* Anthracolestes
* Beckumia
* Crusafontia
* Dryolestes
* Groebertherium?
* Guimarotodus
* Hercynodon
* Krebsotherium
* Lakotalestes?
* Laolestes
* Minutolestes
* Phascolestes
* Portopinheirodon
* Treslagosodon

†Meridiolestida|

* Amarillodon
* Austrotriconodon
* Bondesius
* Casamiquelia
* Cronopio
* Groebertherium?
* Lakotalestes?
* Leonardus
* Necrolestes
* Paraungulatum
* Quirogatherium
* Solanutherium

Mesungulatoidea|

* Coloniatherium
* Mesungulatum
* Orretherium
* Peligrotherium
* Reigitherium

†Donodontidae|

* Amazighodon
* Anoualestes
* Donodon
* Stylodens

Prototribosphenida

* †Abelodon
* †Amphibetulimus
* †Amphitherium
* †Arguimus
* †Brancatherulum?
* †Chunnelodon
* †Magnimus
* †Minimus
* †Mozomus
* †Nanolestes
* †Palaeoxonodon
* †Vincelestes
* Monotremata?

†Peramuridae|

* Afriquiamus?
* Kouriogenys
* Peramuroides
* Peramus
* Tendagurutherium?

Tribosphenida /
Boreosphenida|

* †Aegialodon
* †Argaliatherium
* †Brasilestes
* †Carinalestes
* †Eomaia
* †Holoclemensia
* †Hypomylos
* †Juramaia
* †Kermackia
* †Kielantherium
* †Pappotherium
* †Picopsis
* †Tirotherium
* †Tribactonodon

Theria|

* †Patagomaia

Eutheria|

*     * see Eutheria
* includes placentals

Metatheria|

*     * see Metatheria
* includes marsupials

Other taxa

| Incertae sedis|

* †Atlasodon
* †Chronoperates
* †Microderson
* †Thereuodon
* †Tingamarra
* Saint Bathans Mammal
* UA 8699

|

Other taxa|

* Prototheria
* Yinotheria
* Eutriconodonta
* Amphilestidae
* Theriiformes
* Pantotheria
* Symmetrodonta
* Eupantotheria
* Paurodontidae
* Amphitheriidae
* Marsupionta

* v
* t
* e

Extant Monotremata species by family

* Kingdom Animalia
* Phylum Chordata
* Class Mammalia
* (unranked) Australosphenida

Tachyglossidae
(Echidnas)|

| Tachyglossus|

* Short-beaked echidna (T. aculeatus)

|

Zaglossus
(Long-beaked echidnas)|

* Attenborough's long-beaked echidna (Z. attenboroughi)
* Eastern long-beaked echidna (Z. bartoni)
* Western long-beaked echidna (Z. bruijni)

Ornithorhynchidae|

| Ornithorhynchus|

* Platypus (O. anatinus)

|

Category

Taxon identifiers

Ornithorhynchus anatinus|

* Wikidata: Q15343
* Wikispecies: Ornithorhynchus anatinus
* ADW: Ornithorhynchus_anatinus
* AFD: Ornithorhynchus_anatinus
* ARKive: ornithorhynchus-anatinus
* BOLD: 27252
* CoL: 74WBV
* EoL: 323858
* GBIF: 2433376
* iNaturalist: 43236
* IRMNG: 10218352
* ITIS: 552524
* IUCN: 40488
* MDD: 1000001
* MSW: 10300020
* NCBI: 9258
* Observation.org: 86112
* Open Tree of Life: 962377
* Paleobiology Database: 166835
* Xeno-canto: Ornithorhynchus-anatinus

Platypus anatinus|

* Wikidata: Q125495145
* GBIF: 5816567
* ZooBank: 572D025B-A6A8-4960-BC2F-623FA4F51496

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[†]: Extinct