Tirari Desert 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 insignis "remarkable" refers to the importance of the new taxon's "distinguishing mark" in the fossil record.

Obdurodon insignis looked like a bigger, more powerful platypus. It had webbed limbs, a streamlined body, a paddle-like tail, and a broad, flattened bill. However, Obdurodon insignis maintained fully formed, functional molar teeth throughout its entire adult life, in contrast to the modern platypus, which only has teeth as a juvenile and replaces them with horn-like keratin pads as an adult.

According to speculation, Obdurodon insignis' fur was probably dark brown, chocolate, or black above with a lighter underside; its bill might have been stronger and wider than that of the extant platypus; and its males most likely had poisonous ankle spurs, just like those of contemporary platypuses.

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.

Obdurodon insignis controlled populations of freshwater invertebrates and likely played an ecological role as a mid-level aquatic predator. Crayfish, freshwater mussels, aquatic insects, shrimp, worms, small fish, and amphibians may have been among its prey. Large crocodilians, giant snakes, birds of prey, and large carnivorous marsupials are their primary potential predators.

Reproduction

As a monotreme, Obdurodon insignis laid soft-shelled, leathery eggs, likely digging deep, elaborate nesting burrows into the soft clay riverbanks. Behaviorally, it was likely solitary and active primarily during dawn, dusk, or night (crepuscular/nocturnal) to avoid the larger reptilian predators of the era.

Very likely resembled modern platypuses:

• Egg-laying mammal

• One to three leathery eggs

• Female incubated eggs inside a nesting burrow

• Young hatched hairless and blind

• Milk secreted through skin glands (monotremes lack nipples)

• Maternal care probably lasted several months

Obdurodon insignis is most likely solitary, territorial, active at dawn and dusk, quiet, shy, and an excellent burrow builder. While hunting, Obdurodon insignis relied largely on electroreception and used scent communication. As a monotreme, it probably dug intricate, deep nesting burrows into the soft clay riverbanks to lay its leathery, soft-shelled eggs. In order to avoid the larger reptilian predators of the time, it was probably solitary and active mainly at dawn, dusk, or night (crepuscular/nocturnal).

It wouldn't be a good pet. A poisonous spur on the hind legs of modern male platypuses can inflict severe, protracted pain on humans. Obdurodon insignis most likely had an even more extensive and powerful venom system for self-defense.

Likes

If alive, it might enjoy:

• Quiet rivers

• Dense aquatic plants

• Muddy riverbanks

• Crayfish

• Freshwater shrimp

• Insect larvae

• Hidden burrows

• Cool water

• Fallen logs

• Rainy weather

Dislikes

If alive, it might avoided:

• Loud disturbances

• Fast-moving boats

• Polluted water

• Habitat destruction

• Long droughts

• Large predators

• Excessive heat

• Strong river currents

• Open, exposed shorelines

The platypus is endemic to Australia and is dependent on rivers, streams and bodies of freshwater. It is present in eastern Queensland and New South Wales, eastern, central and southwestern Victoria and throughout Tasmania. The western limits of the range are poorly known. The species was once found in the Adelaide Hills and Mount Lofty Ranges of South Australia. Nowadays it is extinct from that state, except for the introduced population on the western end of Kangaroo Island. There is no evidence that the animal occurred naturally in Western Australia, despite several unsuccessful attempts to introduce it there.

• 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_insignis

• https://uchytel.com/Obdurodon

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

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