http://www.progressiveu.org/020648-why-i-cant-write-about-a-platypus#com...
http://www.progressiveu.org/043458-ps-i-sincerely-apologize-all-platypus...
I would like to begin by pointing out that the inspiration for this in-depth look at the platypus was inspired by the blogs linked above.
Frank Gruetzner, a molecular biologist at the Australian National University, discovered that instead of one pair of sex chromosomes, the platypus has five pair. In other words, where human females have a pair of X’s and human males have XY chromosomes, a string of chromosomes from the platypus may look a little something like this: XYXYXYXYXY. Stranger yet, scientists have even found the ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes found in birds. They also have the reptilian side to them.
Of course, the above information was already mentioned in sawaboof’s blog, so, to avoid repetition, I will move on….
The platypus is the only mammal where the males do not have a scrotum, as their testicles are located internally. Some scientists use the platypus as a sort of genetic map of where humans may evolve, believing that the platypus’ internal scrotum may explain why 30% of human boys have testicles that fail to descend.
The females have a pair of ovaries, however only the left ovary is functional. The platypus has a specific breeding season, which occurs between June and October. I sure hope this isn’t a trait that humans will evolve to. I did quite a bit of digging but could not come up with any research in regards to the reasoning behind the mating season. I did find that the platypus lives alone outside of the mating season, however. I wonder if the mating season has something to do with the internal scrotum. Maybe the little platypus sperm are only at the right temperature to live during June through October. One thing that IS suggested by their behavior would be that the platypus seems to only use sex for procreation since they live alone from October through June.
Another weird trait of the platypus is that they do not have nipples for feeding their young. Their milk instead is secreted through their skin.
I do hope that the platypus does not represent in any way, shape, or form the future of what the human race may evolve to. Their sex lives are nothing to be jealous of and their physical appearance does not do much for sex appeal. Although the male penis is not very pretty as it is, the lack of any scrotum would not help its physical appearance. Breastfeeding directly through the skin would make a lactating woman a scary sight in public. Could you imagine the pools of milk left behind in the malls and grocery stores?!?!? Evolution may be something to fear.
References:
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/ReproductiveHealth/story?id=4808212&page=1
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSSYD49108
http://www.answers.com/topic/platypus
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No one will ever accuse you of backing away from a challenge! Is this platypus thing a trend? Should I be jumping on this bandwagon?
And, "Although the male penis is not very pretty as it is, the lack of any scrotum would not help its physical appearance." May I just say...Ewwwww! And that's comin' at ya from your local man-hating lesbian!
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Absolutely! Now we can wait for yet another blog about the platypus!
It wasn't as easy as I thought since sawaboof touched upon most platypus features and there is a lot less published material on the internet than I thought there would be.
there is a lot less published material on the internet than I thought there would be.
you thought there would be more information regarding 25 different genders? :-P
I thought it was a good blog. :-)
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Some mistakes can't be undone/ it'll never be like it was/ and wishing for it only makes it worse
Rocky Votolato
everyone should jump on this bandwagon.
Nothing would amuse me more than to see, a couple weeks or months from now, people complaining that platypuses have become a dead topic around here. :-)
read my blogs!
ProU
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Some mistakes can't be undone/ it'll never be like it was/ and wishing for it only makes it worse
Rocky Votolato
And that's comin' at ya from your local man-hating lesbian!
You're one of those who think men should live underground and only be brought out for breeding purposes aren't you?
only be brought out for breeding purposes aren't you?
if our species evolves as the platypus did, we may not even need them for that. :-P
read my blogs!
ProU
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Some mistakes can't be undone/ it'll never be like it was/ and wishing for it only makes it worse
Rocky Votolato
And I may not have a problem with that.
I think a lot of species have specific mating seasons. I think it has to do with food supply available and stuff. Like, a deer born in September would probably starve because that's about when the deer's food supply starts to go away for the winter. I believe the menstrual cycle of animals is different than humans as well.
that's weird that the female has 2 ovaries and only one works, naturally. I guess it's not any more abnormal than the platypus in general, though. ;-)
I'm with EW on this. I can only believe you actually made this post because you said you did your research last night. :-P I could continue my bandwagon, but I think me posting another platypus post at this point of time would just be making a ProU inside joke. :-P
read my blogs!
ProU
Not ProU
Some mistakes can't be undone/ it'll never be like it was/ and wishing for it only makes it worse
Rocky Votolato
I never thought about food supply being a possible reason for mating seasons. It makes sense, too. It shows that maternal instinct side of mammals, planning their families for times when survival of their young would be easiest - cool stuff!
I was searching and searching for more information regarding the different possible genders, but after not finding much, I am wondering if the different chromosome pairing actually has more to do with the percentage of mammal, bird-like, or reptile-like features they have. I was curious to see if maybe some carried babies the way mammals to and some lay eggs, but it looks like they all lay eggs.
I do hope that the platypus does not represent in any way, shape, or form the future of what the human race may evolve to.
I agree. Two different genders is hard enough.
Quite interesting. This was weird but very interesting. I really hope we don't evolve like this either. I think they are cute though for an animal. I don't think I would be attracted to a person who looked like this. I laughed when you said that the penis is ugly. lol. I find that funny because it is true, but very funny.
I think a baby would be very confused if milk came out of the skin...
http://www.progressiveu.org/032913-lupus-uncureable-wait-what
Love comments? I do too!
That does pose a question: from what part of the skin would the milk come from?
The mammary glands on the platypus are on their abdomens. The milk is secreted directly through the skin, so I guess the young would just start sucking anywhere on the belly to get fed. Isn't that just plain weird???
That could get messy. I say we should stick to the system we have now.
Well I mean people couldn't complain about public nudity could they?
"Hey leave me alone I am stomach feeding over here!" That would be quite weird, but like i said that would be one benefit...
http://www.progressiveu.org/032913-lupus-uncureable-wait-what
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Most of today's style of dress already accommodates for stomach feeding! Perhaps the clothing manufacturers have a glimpse into our future as nipple-less beings.