Riversleigh Platypus

The common name "platypus" means 'flat-foot', deriving from the Greek word platúpous (πλατύπους), from platús (πλατύς 'broad, wide, flat') and poús (πούς 'foot'). Shaw initially assigned the species the Linnaean name Platypus anatinus when he described it, but the genus term was quickly discovered to already be in use as the name of a beetle genus Platypus.

Various dictionaries list "platypuses" or simply "platypus" as the plural. Alternatively, the term "platypi" is also used for the plural, although this is a form of pseudo-Latin; going by the word's Greek roots the plural would be "platypodes". Early European settlers called it by many names, such as "watermole", "duckbill", and "duckmole". Occasionally it is specifically called the "duck-billed platypus". There is no official term for platypus young, but the term "platypup" sees unofficial use, as does "puggle".

• Singular: Platypus

• Plural: Platypuses

The holotype tooth was placed into the newly erected genus Obdurodon upon description in 1975 by American palaeontologists Michael O. Woodburne and Richard H. Tedford. They named the genus from the Latin obduro "persist" and the Greek ὀδών (odṓn) "tooth", in reference to the permanency of the molars, a feature which is lost in the modern platypus. The species name dicksoni, in honor of Australian paleontologist Barry Dickson, who contributed to Australian fossil discoveries.

Obdurodon dicksoni appeared to be an enormous, heavily armored modern platypus. Its skull was remarkably flat, giving it a superficial resemblance to a small crocodile, in contrast to modern species. Its bill was enlarged and shaped like a spoon. Importantly, Obdurodon dicksoni maintained fully rooted, massive molar and premolar teeth throughout its adult life, whereas contemporary adult platypuses have horny keratin pads. It was about 30% to 40% larger and significantly heavier than a contemporary platypus, measuring about 60 centimeters in length. Its septomaxilla, or upper jaw bones, were greatly enlarged, suggesting a huge, strong bill with a distinctive oval bone hole in the middle.

Obdurodon probably had sensitive touch receptors, waterproof insulating fur, electroreception through the bill, and was an exceptional swimmer. Obdurodon had strong digging claws, a crushing bite with molars, and the ability to dive underwater. Its teeth likely enabled it to consume larger and more difficult prey than contemporary platypuses.

Obdurodon most likely swam similarly to contemporary platypuses, using their front feet for propulsion, their hind feet for steering, their tail for stability, and their ability to stay underwater for one to three minutes. Obdurodon had exceptional agility when navigating through vegetation and submerged logs.

While male and female platypuses are born with ankle spurs, only the spurs on the male's back ankles deliver venom, composed largely of defensin-like proteins (DLPs), three of which are unique to the platypus. The DLPs are produced by the immune system of the platypus. The function of defensins is to cause lysis in pathogenic bacteria and viruses, but in platypuses they also are formed into venom for defence. Although powerful enough to kill smaller animals such as dogs, the venom is not lethal to humans, but the pain is so excruciating that the victim may be incapacitated.

Large freshwater crayfish (yabbies), hard-shelled mollusks, large insect larvae, frogs, tadpoles, and small fish were all crushed by Obdurodon dicksoni thanks to its strong, heavy jaw muscles and anchored teeth. As a freshwater predator and significant regulator of aquatic invertebrate populations, it most likely played an ecological role.

Carnivorous marsupials, large snakes, predatory birds, and ancient crocodilians may have been their primary predators.

Reproduction

True to its monotreme lineage, Obdurodon dicksoni was an egg-layer. It likely dug extensive, complex brooding burrows into the soft, mud-and-limestone banks of Riversleigh's waterways to protect its leathery eggs from predators.

Like all known monotremes, Obdurodon dicksoni almost certainly:

• It laid eggs.

• Dug nesting burrows.

• Produced leathery eggs.

• Incubated eggs for about 10 days (estimated from modern platypuses).

• Fed young with milk secreted through mammary glands without nipples.

• Provided maternal care for several months.

Obdurodon dicksoni is most likely solitary, territorial, active at dawn and dusk, a skilled burrow builder, quiet, and cautious. During the day, Obdurodon dicksoni rested inside its burrows and relied heavily on electroreception for hunting.

It would be extremely risky to deal with Obdurodon dicksoni. The ankle spur of modern male platypuses is poisonous. An enraged Obdurodon dicksoni could deliver both a painful envenomation and a nasty, shell-crushing bite due to its larger size, tougher build, and strong biting jaws (which modern platypuses lack).

Likes

If alive today, it might enjoy:

• Quiet freshwater streams.

• Forested riverbanks

• Muddy burrowing sites

• Fallen logs

• Aquatic plants

• Crayfish

• Shrimp

• Insect larvae

• Cool, clean water

• Rainy weather

Dislikes

If alive today, it might avoided:

• Loud disturbances

• Polluted waterways

• Habitat destruction

• Drought

• Fast-moving boats

• Strong currents

• Open shorelines with little cover

• Large predators

• Excessive heat

The Riversleigh World Heritage Fossil Site in northwest Queensland, Australia, is the only place where Obdurodon dicksoni is known. Instead of being an outback desert, Miocene Riversleigh was a verdant, humid tropical rainforest interspersed with lakes, limestone caverns, and deep freshwater pools.

• Movement Pattern: Not a Migrant

• Individual Type: Solo

• Population Trend: Stable

• Population: 1,000

• Locomotion: Amphibious

• Habitat: Montane Grasslands and Shrublands; Temperate Coniferous Forests; Temperate Broadleaf and Mixed Forests; Temperate Deciduous Forests; Temperate Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands; Subtropical Coniferous Forests; Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests; Subtropical Dry Broadleaf Forests; Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands; Salt Flats; Stone Forest; Tropical Coniferous Forests; Tropical Moist Broadleaf Forests; Tropical Dry Broadleaf Forests; Tropical Grasslands, Savannas and Shrublands; Mediterranean Forests, Woodlands, and Scrub; Flooded Grasslands and Savannas; Swamp; Bayous/Billabongs; Air-breathing Coral Reefs; Graveyard Vale;  Warm River; Cold River; Lukewarm River; Subterranean River; Warm Pond; Cold Pond; Aquifer; Warm Littoral; Cold Littoral; Warm Intertidal; Cold Intertidal; Warm Ghost Town; Cold Ghost Town; Ruined Skyscraper.

• Earth: 

  • Extinct: Australia

In Australia, platypus are prohibited by legislation and should not be kept as pets. For the following reasons: They need large, flowing freshwater systems; they have a specialized diet consisting of live aquatic insects, worms, and crustaceans; they are shy and easily stressed in captivity; males are venomous; and their wild character makes them unsocial and afraid of people.

TBA

Past and Present Incidents Individuals

• TBA

The Recollections of Queen Arianna Individuals

• TBA

• TBA

• Obdurodon looked similar to today's platypus but had real grinding teeth.

• Obdurodon laid eggs despite being a mammal, much like living echidnas and platypuses.

• Obdurodon likely hunted using electroreception.

• It lived during the Miocene, millions of years before humans reached Australia.

• Obdurodon probably spent much of its life in freshwater.

• Its closest living relative is the modern platypus.

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obdurodon

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obdurodon#Obdurodon_dicksoni

• https://uchytel.com/Obdurodon

• https://www.azquotes.com/quote/1401910?ref=platypus

• https://www.deviantart.com/ognimdo2002/art/Obdurodons-877902489