The Biology of the Monotremes is an attempt to make available all gathered information about monotremes to the greater public. This book specifically targets the students, newly graduates, teachers, and researchers interested in the study of life processes and evolution. This book comprises of 10 chapters. Each chapter except Chapter 10 discusses three genera - Ornithorhynchus, Tachyglossus, and Zaglossus. Chapter 1 serves as an introduction to the subject matter. It covers the discovery and general anatomy of the monotremes. In accordance, Chapter 2 discusses the different kinds of monotremes and its other aspects. Aside from the mentioned genera, it also includes Obdurodon insignis. In Chapter 3, the food and feeding habits of the monotremes is given focus. Meanwhile, the varied physiology of monotremes is the subject of Chapter 4, and temperature regulation in Chapter 5. A more detailed and thorough discussion regarding the anatomy of the monotremes is provided in Chapters 6 through 9. The discussion covers topics including the glands in the endocrine and immune systems, as well as special senses, organs, and behavior of monotremes. Its reproduction and embryology is also discussed. This book explains as well the mammal's lactation, composition of the milk, sucking, and growth of the young. Lastly, Chapter 10 provides the readers with four differing views regarding the relationship of the monotremes with the rest of the mammals.

Marsupials and monotremes are the dominant mammalian fauna in Australia, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and parts of South America. Monotremes are unique; they possess a range of reptilian and mammalian characteristics. Marsupials are highly diverse and occupy a wide range of ecologically diverse niches and habitats. They have distinct physiologies and their ability to control foetal development and nurture extremely immature young is providing beneficial insights into developmental physiology and human medicine. Insights into marsupial herbivory are benefitting agriculture and climate science. Studies on these mammals that have or will benefit mankind in medicine, agriculture and environmental science have been highlighted. This book covers current knowledge of all aspects of the basic biology and ecology of marsupials and monotremes including evolution and biogeography, genomics, musculoskeletal anatomy, thermal regulation, reproduction, nutrition and feeding strategies, behaviour and social interactions, health and disease, current conservation status, exploitation and utilisation and finally addresses this question: "Are monotremes and marsupials inferior?" The principal audience for this book will be undergraduate students at the tertiary level. Within these chapters, standalone text boxes have been incorporated with examples of the most up-to-date research undertaken to make the book a resource to research students and scientists. Many text boxes highlight the enigmatic nature of marsupials and monotremes and where knowledge of their biology could be of value to the wider community (medicine, agriculture and environment). This compilation emphasises the utility of the information being generated from research with these mammals to the wider scientific community.

Neurobiology of Monotremes brings together current information on the development, structure, function and behavioural ecology of the monotremes. The monotremes are an unusual and evolutionarily important group of mammals showing striking behavioural and physiological adaptations to their niches. They are the only mammals exhibiting electroreception (in the trigeminal sensory pathways) and the echidna shows distinctive olfactory specialisations. The authors aim to close the current gap in knowledge between the genes and developmental biology of monotremes on the one hand, and the adult structure, function and ecology of monotremes on the other. They explore how the sequence 'embryonic structure › adult structure › behaviour' is achieved in monotremes and how this differs from other mammals. The work also combines a detailed review of the neurobiology of monotremes with photographic and diagrammatic atlases of the sectioned adult brains and peripheral nervous system of the short-beaked echidna and platypus. Pairing of a detailed review of the field with the first published brain atlases of two of the three living monotremes will allow the reader to immediately relate key points in the text to features in the atlases and will extend a universal system of brain nomenclature developed in eutherian brain atlases by G Paxinos and colleagues to monotremes.

"This book is based on Echidnas of Australia and New Guinea, first published as part of the Australian Natural History series"--Preface.

Animals of this size face different physiological and ecological challenges than larger mammals.