Chordate Zoology - Textbook - Y. V. Tsaryk - 2013

Chapter 5. SUPERCLASS TETRAPODS (LAND VERTEBRATES) TETRAPODA, seu QUADRIPEDA.

ANAMNIOTES (ANAMNIA) AND AMNIOTES (AMNIOTA)

5.4. CLASS MAMMALS, OR BEASTS, MAMMALIA, seu THERIA

5.4.4. Taxonomy and Characteristics of Representatives of the Main Orders of the Class Mammalia

5.4.4.2. Subclass Theria

5.4.4.2.14. Order Tubulidentata (Orycteropodiformes)

It comprises a single species—the aardvark, Orycteropus afer (Fig. 5.74, 25). The Teeth are exclusively cheek teeth, appearing as fused dentine tubules; they lack enamel, are covered externally with cementum, and are rootless. The body is massive, with an elongated HEAD ending in a snout, and a long Tongue (30 cm). Tubulidentates probably originated from primitive ungulates (condylarths); however, in their appearance, which is adapted to feeding on ants and termites, they resemble edentates (convergent resemblance).



Last update: 19/08/2026

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