Biology Encyclopedia	Mammalia Linnaeus, 1758 “furry milk-suckers”
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Common Names

Mammal

The study of mammals is called mammalology and has previously been called mastology, theriology, and therology.

Latin Synonyms

Zootoka

Vivipera

Mastodia

Mammalea

Linnaean Rank

Class

Ancestral Phylogeny and Taxonomy

Explanation of phylogenetic trees

Lineage

Terrabiota, Cytota, Neomura, Eukaryota, Unikonta, Opisthokonta, Animalia, Metazoa, Eumetazoa, Bilateria, Deuterostomia, Cyrtotreta, Chordata, Notochordata, Vertebrata, Gnathostomata,, Teleostomi, Euteleostomi, Sarcopterygii, Tetrapodomorpha, Tetrapoda, Reptilomorpha, Cotylosauria, Amniota, Synapsida, Therapsida, Eutherapsida, Neotherapsida, Theriodontia, Cynodontia, Epicynodontia, Eucynodontia, Probainognathia, Mammaliaformes

Descendant Phylogeny and Taxonomy

Explanation of phylogenetic trees

Morphology

Distribution

Ecology

In diet, mammals may be carnivores, herbivores, or omnivores.  The majority of mammals are terrestrial, but they have adopted lifestyles that are arboreal (many Primates and Rodentia); aquatic and marine (Cetacea, Sirenia and many Carnivora); and aerial (Chiroptera).

Ethology

Evolution

In order to accurately describe mammal evolution it is first necessary to define the key characteristics that define what are commonly known as mammals.  The most important distinguishing feature that unites all extant mammals is the presence of mammary glands in the female of each species.  These mammary glands produce milk for the sustenance of the young.  It is poorly understood how or when the mammary glands evolved but it is generally understood that they are modified sweat glands.

Other uniting features common to most extant mammals include the presence of hair, endothermy, and the region of the brain called the neocortex.

The first true mammals appeared in the early Jurassic. 

Development

Ethnobiology

Humans make close associations with mammals for various purposes.  Many species are common as pets including dogs and cats.  Most, if not all, species of mammal have been utilized by humans for food sources, especially cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats.  Many species are utilized for their fur.  Rats and primates are utilized for testing in scientific experiments and product research.  Cattle, horses, elephants, camels, dogs, and reindeer are utilized as working animals.

Population

Notes and Comments

References

Literature

Information on the Internet

• Haaramo, Mikko. "Mammaliformes". Mikko's Phylogeny Archive. http://www.helsinki.fi/~mhaaramo/metazoa/deuterostoma/chordata/synapsida/basal_mammalia/mammaliaformes_1.html.