Instead they suggest that the original platypus sex chromosomes were derived from the ZW chromosome system of birds and reptiles. The duckbill platypus challenges these dogmas.(1,2) Gutzner et al.(1) find no recognizable SRY sequence and question whether the mammalian X was even the original sex chromosome in the platypus. Mammal sex determination depends on an XY chromosome system, a gene for testis development and a means of activating the X chromosome. Research has commenced in zoos to facilitate this goal.Ĭhromosome chains and platypus sex: kinky connections. Recommendations are made to improve the survival of platypuses in captivity. Approximately 28% of deaths were related to inadequate husbandry. However, infectious disease did not appear to be significant. The cause of death of most platypuses was not established. Clearly, only a small proportion of platypuses adapted to captive husbandry. The survival rate of animals donated to zoos, including "refugees", was similar to that of purpose-caught animals.
The duration of survival was unrelated to the age of animals at acquisition or to sex. Of 213 platypuses that died in captivity, 81.7% had died within 1 year most within the first month. Of 15 living platypuses, 3 had been held in captivity for less than 1 year, 5 for between 1 and 5 years, 6 for between 5 and 10 years and 1 for 21 years. Only 22.4% of all platypuses survived more than 1 year in captivity. Like the animal itself the platypus genome contains an amalgam of mammal, reptile, and bird-like features.ĭata are presented on the duration of survival of 228 platypuses at six Australian zoos between 19. The genome of the platypus has been sequenced, assembled, and annotated by an international genomics team.