Introduction – *Infraclass Metatheria includes pouched mammals andwas first proposed by Thomas Henry Huxley (1880) comprising 272 primitive mammals. *Metatherians are an ancient group which are very diverse in body form, and occupy an enormous range of ecological niches. *The closest relatives
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*Tail is long and prehensile and assists in balancing (Fig.24. 6). *Fore limbs are shorter than hind limbs *Hind limbs are used for running, grasping or burrowing *The first and fifth toes are usually reduced. *All digits end in claws * In most of the species, females possess a brood pouch formed by a skin fold (Fig. 24.6). *There are two to six nipples in the pouch. Species with no pouch have as many as 25
*Tail is long and prehensile and assists in balancing (Fig.24. 6). *Fore limbs are shorter than hind limbs *Hind limbs are used for running, grasping or burrowing *The first and fifth toes are usually reduced. *All digits end in claws * In most of the species, females possess a brood pouch formed by a skin fold (Fig. 24.6). *There are two to six nipples in the pouch. Species with no pouch have as many as 25