An Antipodal Mystery

An Antipodal Mystery

Author:

Clyde Freeman Herreid

Department of Biological Sciences

University at Buffalo

Abstract:

The discovery of the platypus had the scientific world in an uproar and kept it tantalized for decades. Here was the strangest animal ever seen. How was one to classify it? It had fur. So, was it a mammal? But then what to make of its duck-like bill? And how did it produce and suckle its young? Based on the book by Ann Moyal titled Platypus: The Extraordinary Story of How a Curious Creature Baffled the World, the case focuses on classification and evolution and models the scientific process, with scientists arguing, debating, collecting more information, and revising their opinions as more data become available.

Objectives:

· To show how the scientific process really works.

· To learn some of the basic ideas of classification and to recognize how intermediate steps are to be expected with evolution.

· To learn some of the basic anatomy of the female tetrapod reproductive tract and patterns of egg-laying versus birth.

· To see some of the trends and patterns in anatomy that lead people to the idea of evolution.

Florida Standards

· SC.912.L.15.4: Describe how and why organisms are hierarchically classified and based on evolutionary relationships.

· SC.912.L.15.5: Explain the reasons for changes in how organisms are classified.

· SC.912.L.15.6: Discuss distinguishing characteristics of the domains and kingdoms of living organisms.

· SC.912.L.15.1: Explain how the scientific theory of evolution is supported by the fossil record, comparative anatomy, comparative embryology, biogeography, molecular biology, and observed evolutionary change.

Keywords: Taxonomy; ornithorynchus; platypus; monotreme; marsupial; scala naturae; evolution; Australia

Topical Area: History of science, Scientific method

Educational Level: High school, Undergraduate lower division

Subject Headings: Evolutionary Biology Biology (General) Zoology