#LAST ACHIEVEMENT IN PLATYPUS EVOLUTION ARCHIVE#

'Now with the entire genome sequenced we can investigate their extraordinary features at the molecular level.'Дr GrГјtzner made international headlines in 2004 when he discovered that the sex chromosomes of the platypus - our most distant mammalian relatives - were much closer to birds than humans. 'They have specialised neurons that help them catch their prey in the mud, they are venomous, they regulate their body temperature at 32 degrees (not 37 as most other mammals), their reproductive system is a mixture of reptilian and mammalian and they have 10 sex chromosomes. 'They lay eggs and they suckle their young after they hatch, although they don't have nipples, so the milk is secreted from the abdominal surface. 'They are our most distant mammalian relative, yet they are so different to us. 'The platypus is an Australian treasure for science because it is unique for a number of reasons,' Dr GrГјtzner said. The leading authors of the paper, including Dr GrГјtzner, revealed the key discoveries that researchers have made in the course of the project. University of Adelaide geneticists Dr Frank GrГјtzner and Dr Enkhjargal Tsend-Ayush, together with more than 100 researchers worldwide, have collaborated on the platypus genome project, published as the cover story last month in the world's most prestigious scientific journal, Nature. Platypus study reveals 160 million years of separationДЄ four-year international research project to sequence the entire genetic record of the platypus over the past 160 million years has revealed new insights into the biology of Australia's famous icon.

#LAST ACHIEVEMENT IN PLATYPUS EVOLUTION ARCHIVE#

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Last achievement in platypus evolution