A review of monotreme (Monotremata) evolution

Advances in dating and systematics have prompted a revision of monotreme evolution to refine the timing of adaptative trends affecting body size and craniodental morphology. The oldest known monotreme, Teinolophos trusleri, is restricted to uppermost Barremian deposits of the Strzelecki Group in Victoria, Australia. Its body mass is estimated at similar to 40 g, making it the smallest known monotreme. Teinolophos trusleri likely possessed an electro-sensitive and/or mechano-sensitive 'bill' or 'beak', which we suggest evolved for insectivory in seasonally dark Early Cretaceous polar forests. During the early Albian-mid-Cenomanian, monotremes diversified in Australia and evolved body masses greater than 4 kg, becoming amongst the largest Mesozoic mammals. A gap of 35 million years subsequently separates the youngest Mesozoic monotremes from the oldest Cenozoic monotreme, Monotrematum sudamericanum, which is a Paleocene stem ornithorhynchid from southern South America. We also hypothesize that tachyglossids originated in Melanesia, perhaps on the emergent Vogelkop landmass, and then dispersed to Australia during the Pliocene-Pleistocene. Finally, we present a classification of Monotremata to include five families-Teinolophidae fam. nov., Kollikodontidae, Steropodontidae, Ornithorhynchidae, and Tachyglossidae. We also propose a new genus, Murrayglossus gen. nov. for a gigantic Pleistocene echidna from southwestern Western Australia.

Automated summary

Advances in dating and systematics have led to a revision of monotreme evolution, focusing on body size and craniodental morphology. The oldest known monotreme, Teinolophos trusleri, is the smallest known monotreme, with a body mass estimated at 40g. Monotremes diversified in Australia during the early Albian-mid-Cenomanian period, reaching body masses greater than 4kg. A gap of 35 million years separates the youngest Mesozoic monotremes from the oldest Cenozoic monotreme, Monotrematum sudamericanum. There is a hypothesis that tachyglossids originated in Melanesia and later dispersed to Australia. The classification of Monotremata includes five families and a new genus, Murrayglossus, is proposed for a Pleistocene echidna from southwestern Western Australia.