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Article: Platypus genome 166m years old.
- Article from:
- Yorkshire Evening Post (Leeds, England)
- Article date:
- May 8, 2008
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A patchwork of genes derived from birds, reptiles and mammals has made the duck-billed platypus one of nature's oddest creations, research has shown.
Scientists worked together to draw up the first blueprint of the platypus genetic code.
Published yesterday in the journal Nature, it shines a light on the early history of mammals, when furry animals had reptilian features.
The duck-billed platypus, a native of Australia, is classified as a mammal because it produces milk and has a coat of fur.
Venom
But the platypus also lays eggs - one of only two mammals, known as monotremes, to do so.
It also sports a duck-like ...