Introducing mammals
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Contents

  • Introduction
  • Learning outcomes
  • 1 Defining mammals
  • 2 Mammalian diversity
    • 2.1 Living mammals
      • 2.1.1 Monotremes
      • 2.1.2 Marsupials
      • 2.1.3 Placentals
  • 3 The monotremes
    • 3.1 How should we think of monotremes?
  • 4 Reproduction in marsupials
  • 5 Milk production (lactation)
    • 5.1 Fat content of milk
    • 5.2 Lactation in marsupials
  • 6 Metabolism and body temperature
    • 6.1 Warm-blooded vs cold-blooded
    • 6.2 Metabolism
    • 6.3 Heat from metabolism
    • 6.3.1 Comparing endothermic mammals with an ectotherm
    • 6.3.2 Endotherms compared with an ectotherm under natural conditions
    • 6.4 Coping with heat
  • 7 Thermoregulation and mammalian fur
  • 8 What’s special about placental mammals?
  • 9 Studying mammals: a case study – platypus burrows
  • Conclusion
  • References
  • Acknowledgements

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