The relationship between echidna (Monotremata: Tachyglossidae) and platypus (Monotremata: Ornithorhynchidae) - new data from DNA studies.

Abstract

DNA-DNA hybridizations have been used to assess the relationship between two living monotremes, Ornithorhynchus anatinus and Tachyglossus aculeatus. Differences between the unique DNA sequences of these two animals are consistent with a divergence date in the late Cretaceous - early Tertiary period.