Available online
Description
The programme illustrates the major differences among placental and marsupial mammals and the monotremes and shows how the break up of the continents during the Cretaceous brought about the osolati...on of mammals in Australia and South America.
The programme illustrates the major differences among placental and marsupial mammals and the monotremes and shows how the break up of the continents during the Cretaceous brought about the osolati...on of mammals in Australia and South America.
| Module code and title: | S364, Evolution |
|---|---|
| Item code: | S364; 08 |
| First transmission date: | 13-06-1981 |
| Published: | 1981 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:29 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | P. L Firstbrook |
| Contributor: | Caroline Pond |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Continental drift; Evolution; Mammals; Marsupial mammals; Placental mammals; Thylacine; Wolves |
| Footage description: | Film shots of Bavarian wolves and of the last known specimen of thylacine, the Australian marsupial wolf. Commentary points out that while the two species are very similar anatomically, they belong to different subclasses of mammals. Shots of a small marsupial similar to Pantothene, the common ancestor of both placental and marsupial mammals. An animated map shows the break-up of the super-continent Pangea about 140 million years ago. A survey of placental mammal herbivores found in the grasslands of East Africa follows. Shots of the savannah, of zebra, antelope, warthog, giraffe, berenuk and elephants. Commentary explains how these animals are adapted to the grassland environment. The programme next looks at the grassland environment of Australia and the marsupial herbivores found there. Shots of kangaroo and then of antelope. The two animals are compared. Commentary points out these characteristics as examples of parallel evolution. Film shots of kangaroo giving birth and of young kangaroos suckling. Commentary explains how kangaroo give birth to and rear their offspring. Shots of a newborn zebra as contrast to the marsupial method of reproduction. Over shots of giant flightless birds (ostriches and emus) and an animated map, commentary discusses the distribution and origins of these birds. It concludes that the flightless kinds are an early offshoot in bird evolution. Commentary next goes on to discuss, briefly, the evolutionary history of elephants. Shots of elephants, and of a hyrax, a close relative. Shots of vervet monkeys, lemurs and an animated map are used to trace the evolutionary history of primates. Shots of chimpanzees, gorillas and more lemurs. As another example of parallel evolution, shots of tree kangaroos, koala bears and cuscus living in the rain forests of northern Australia. These marsupials have filled the niche occupied by primates in other parts of the world. Shots of a rumbat feeding. Finally, the programme examines a group of placental mammals occupying a habitat (rivers and the sea) where marsupials are not found. Shots of platypus, whales and sealion (giving birth). The programme ends with shots of antelope, kangaroos, emus and elephants. |
| Master spool number: | HOU3823 |
| Production number: | FOUS190X |
| Videofinder number: | 2059 |
| Available to public: | no |
