Lecture 1

Mammalogy Introduction to Mammals
In terms of the number of living species, mammals are not a particularly diverse group - there are
only 4,629 described species listed in the most recent taxonomic checklist (although more have
been discovered since). For perspective, this is just over half the number of bird species. However,
if we look at morphological diversity, mammalian diversity is really quite remarkable.
For example if we just look at size, the smallest mammal is Craseonycteris thonglongyai, the
Bumble-bee bat. It weighs just under 2 grams: basically, the weight of a couple of paper clips.
The largest, Balaenoptera musculus, the blue whale can weigh up to 200,000 Kg, that is 200
Million g. In addition, these two species represent both flying and marine forms.
There are also gliding forms, saltatorial (hopping or jumping) forms, fossorial (burrowing) forms,
arboreal forms (they live or spend a large portion of their life among the trees), and forms that
specialize on a diet of ants. This diversity is especially remarkable when we recognize that all
mammals originated from a single common ancestor, that is, a single ancestral species that live
170 million years ago.
Short definition: hairy, milk producing, endotherm that gives birth to live young.
A. Soft Anatomy Characters – Eleven characters
1. Lactogeneic - nourish young by producing milk with mammary glands.
2. Viviparous - animal bringing forth live young which have developed inside the body of the
parent.
3. Hair - Hair is a uniquely derived feature of mammals not found in any other group.
Structure is well-suited to serve as an insulator. Cuticular scales, cortex, medulla.
4. Sweat and Sebaceous glands - sweat glands - evaporative cooling sebaceous glands - associated
with hair.
5. Endothermic - That is, mammals produce their own heat through metabolic processes.
6. Four-chambered heart, with complete separation of pulmonary and systemic circulation.
7. Red Blood Cells – This provides more space for hemoglobin and greater capacity for
carrying oxygen.
8. Separate renal artery and vein rather than a renal portal system.
9. Muscular Diaphragm - used in respiration.
10. Facial muscles. This allows for facial expression and is important in communication.
11. Expanded cerebral portion of brain - particular portion called dorsal pallium (sensory process)
B. Hard Anatomy (Skeletal) Characters.
— Cranial — Eight cranial characters
1. Double occipital condyle, the point of articulation between skull and vertebral column.
2. Atlas/Axis Complex - modifications of the first two cervical or neck vertebrae
When mammals rotate head, atlas rotates on shaft of axis.
3. Tympanic bone is present that supports the tympanum or eardrum (separates the outer ear
from the middle ear). In many species, this forms an auditory bulla.
4. Three ear ossicles – transmit sound waves from the ear drum, or tympanum, to inner ear.
Malleus, incus and stapes ---
5. Single opening into nasal cavity (we have two nostrils, but one bony opening).
6. Secondary Palate – A solid shield of bone separating nasal and oral cavities.
Ventral and medial extensions of palatine bones, maxillae, and premaxillae separate the nasal cavity
from oral cavity.
This allows mammals to breathe while processing food.
— Teeth — Five dental characters.
1. Lack palatal teeth; teeth are restricted to jaw margins.
2. Diphyodont - At most, there are two generations of teeth. This contrasts with
monophyodont (one set of teeth i.e whales platypus) and polyphyodont.
(Reptiles have this replacement of teeths)
3. Thecodont – Teeth are rooted in a socket, as opposed to acrodont (without socket) or
pleurodont.(having no roots)
4. Heterodont - Different teeth have different shapes and different functions, as opposed to
homodont (seen in alligator)
5. Multicuspate – Teeth have lots of cusps or bumps; contrast with unicuspate.
Axial Skeleton
1.Extreme regionalization of vertebral column
cervical region- neck vertebrae - almost always 7; some groups with 9 thoracic
region - chest region - 12 or 13
lumbar region - lower back - variable number
sacral region - associated with the pelvis caudal
region - associated with the tail
2. Ribs are restricted to thoracic vertebrae

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Mammalogy Introduction to Mammals

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