Domain: EukaryaKingdom: AnamiliaAn Antipodal MysteryClassification of PlatypusClass MammaliaSubclass Protheria (Egg laying mammals)Order Monotremata (Platypus & Echidna)Subclass Theria (Mammals bearing live young)Infraclass MetatheriaOrder Marsupialia (Pouched mammals)Infraclass Eutheria (Placental mammals)How should scientists solve this problem? (Species don’t fit in Scala Naturae)Throw out the Scala Naturae concept altogether? Cuvier did. He argued physical catastrophes periodically occur and destroy organisms. They were replaced after each disaster by successive creations of new and more complex species. Revise it?Lamarck did. He believed there was a linear order of living organisms from simple to complex, and that organisms could move upward on the ladder via evolution—rather like an escalator. He thought extinction was impossible.This is a story on how science works1. An unknown animal is discovered2. Scientists try to categorize it by comparing it to known organisms.3. It defies easy categorization.-It isn’t a mammal—no mammary glands-It isn’t a bird—no feathers-It isn’t a reptile—no scales4. New Information: Platypus has…- reproductive tract like a bird or reptile- eggs are held in the uterus and supplied nutrients before laying- leathery eggs are laid like crocodile- shoulder girdle & ear like reptile- fur like a mammal- mammary glands but no nipples*****Conclusion: Platypus is a transitional species between reptiles & mammals5. Broad Conclusions-Platypus is only one example of thousands of transition species not known to ancients -& not in Bible (0nly 120 species listed)-& not in the Linnaeus’ system of classification.-The transition species -& the millions of extinct species throw Creationism into question-Evolution can explain both:-Transition species are expected-Extinction is expected***The Hypothesis of evolution is supported******Knowledge is always being redefined, Science is self
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