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Abstract

Mammals, grouped as such because of shared features that include hair, homeothermy, and lactation, are composed of Monotremata (Prototheria), and the Theria, which include Marsupialia (Metatheria), and Eutheria. The latter are often referred to as placental mammals, but this is inappropriate in the strict sense since marsupials also briefly develop a functional placenta.

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Bedford, J.M. (1991). The Coevolution of Mammalian Gametes. In: Dunbar, B.S., O’Rand, M.G. (eds) A Comparative Overview of Mammalian Fertilization. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-8982-9_1

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