Zoology: General

A Dictionary of Biology A Dictionary of Zoology Further reading

Metatheria

A Dictionary of Biology | 2004 | Copyright

Metatheria An infraclass of mammals containing the marsupials. The female bears an abdominal pouch (marsupium) into which the newly born young, which are in a very immature state, move to complete their development. They obtain nourishment from the mother's mammary teats. Modern marsupials are restricted to Australasia (where they include the kangaroos, koala bears, phalangers, and bandicoots) and America (the opossums). Marsupials evolved during the late Cretaceous period, 80 million years ago. In Australia, where the marsupials have been isolated for millions of years, they show the greatest diversity of form, having undergone adaptive radiation to many of the niches occupied by placental mammals elsewhere. Compare Eutheria; Prototheria.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"Metatheria." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Metatheria." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-Metatheria.html

"Metatheria." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-Metatheria.html

Learn more about citation styles

Metatheria

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | | Copyright

Metatheria (class Mammalia, subclass Theria) An infraclass that comprises the marsupials and their extinct relatives, sometimes included in the single order Marsupialia and now more usually divided into several orders.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

MICHAEL ALLABY. "Metatheria." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "Metatheria." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Metatheria.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "Metatheria." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Metatheria.html

Learn more about citation styles