The platypus: evolutionary history, biology, and an uncertain future

Gilad Bino; Richard T. Kingsford; Michael Archer; Joanne H. Connolly; Jenna Day; Kimberly Dias; David Goldney; Jaime Gongora; Tom Grant; Josh Griffiths; Tahneal Hawke; Melissa Klamt; Daniel Lunney; Luis Mijangos; Sarah Munks; William Sherwin; Melody Serena; Peter Temple-Smith; Jessica Thomas; Geoff Williams; Camilla Whittington

doi:10.1093/jmammal/gyz058

Back

The platypus: evolutionary history, biology, and an uncertain future

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

The platypus: evolutionary history, biology, and an uncertain future

Gilad Bino, Richard T. Kingsford, Michael Archer, Joanne H. Connolly, Jenna Day, Kimberly Dias, David Goldney, Jaime Gongora, Tom Grant, Josh Griffiths, …

Journal of mammalogy, Vol.100(2), pp.308-327

2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyz058

PMCID: PMC6479513

PMID: 31043761

Files and links (1)

pdf

Published 20.71 MBDownload View

Published (Version of Record)CC BY-NC V4.0, Open Access

Abstract

Australia

conservation management

freshwater biology

Monotremata

Ornithorhynchus anatinus

The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is one of the world's most evolutionarily distinct mammals, one of five extant species of egg-laying mammals, and the only living species within the family Ornithorhynchidae. Modern platypuses are endemic to eastern mainland Australia, Tasmania, and adjacent King Island, with a small introduced population on Kangaroo Island, South Australia, and are widely distributed in permanent river systems from tropical to alpine environments. Accumulating knowledge and technological advancements have provided insights into many aspects of its evolutionary history and biology but have also raised concern about significant knowledge gaps surrounding distribution, population sizes, and trends. The platypus' distribution coincides with many of Australia's major threatening processes, including highly regulated and disrupted rivers, intensive habitat destruction, and fragmentation, and they were extensively hunted for their fur until the early 20th century. Emerging evidence of local population declines and extinctions identifies that ecological thresholds have been crossed in some populations and, if threats are not addressed, the species will continue to decline. In 2016, the IUCN Red Listing for the platypus was elevated to "Near Threatened," but the platypus remains unlisted on threatened species schedules of any Australian state, apart from South Australia, or nationally. In this synthesis, we review the evolutionary history, genetics, biology, and ecology of this extraordinary mammal and highlight prevailing threats. We also outline future research directions and challenges that need to be met to help conserve the species.

Details

Title: The platypus: evolutionary history, biology, and an uncertain future
Authors/Creators: Gilad Bino - UNSW Sydney
Richard T. Kingsford - UNSW Sydney
Michael Archer - UNSW Sydney
Joanne H. Connolly - Charles Sturt University
Jenna Day - The University of Sydney
Kimberly Dias - The University of Sydney
David Goldney - Charles Sturt University
Jaime Gongora - The University of Sydney
Tom Grant - Univ New South Wales, Sch Biol Earth & Environm Sci, Ctr Ecosyst Sci, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Josh Griffiths - Central European Society for Anticancer Drug Research
Tahneal Hawke - UNSW Sydney
Melissa Klamt - Monash University
Daniel Lunney - The University of Sydney
Luis Mijangos - Univ New South Wales, Sch Biol Earth & Environm Sci, Ctr Ecosyst Sci, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Sarah Munks - University of Tasmania
William Sherwin - UNSW Sydney
Melody Serena - Tasmanian Land Conservancy
Peter Temple-Smith - Monash University
Jessica Thomas - Zoos Victoria
Geoff Williams - Tasmanian Land Conservancy
Camilla Whittington - The University of Sydney
Publication Details: Journal of mammalogy, Vol.100(2), pp.308-327
Publisher: Oxford Univ Press
Number of pages: 20
Grant note: New South Wales Department of Primary Industries Conference Sponsorship Program 2017 Taronga Zoo LP150100093 / Australian Research Council Marcia Evelyn Williams Bequest, School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney
Identifiers: 991005579382307891
Murdoch Affiliation: Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

Source: InCites

Metrics

7 File views/ downloads

50 Record Views

34 Times Cited - Web of Science

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.35 Zoology & Animal Ecology; 3.35.721 Rodent Ecology
Web Of Science research areas: Zoology
ESI research areas: Plant & Animal Science