metatherian
/ˌmɛtəˈθɪriən/
noun
- A mammal that gives birth to live young that are not fully developed and continue to grow in a pouch on the mother's body, such as a kangaroo, koala, or opossum.
- Kangaroos and koalas are well-known metatherians that live in Australia.
- Scientists study metatherians to understand how different mammals evolved.
- The opossum is the only metatherian native to North America.
Synonyms
Antonyms
adjective
- Relating to or characteristic of marsupial mammals that carry their young in a pouch.
- The metatherian reproductive system is quite different from that of placental mammals.
- Metatherian species are found mainly in Australia and the Americas.
- This fossil shows metatherian features that are millions of years old.