Q.36 Scaly anteaters are included under
Scaly anteaters (pangolins) are classified under Eutheria, the placental mammals subclass.
Question Breakdown
This tests mammalian classification within Class Mammalia, divided into three infraclasses: Prototheria (monotremes), Metatheria (marsupials), and Eutheria (placentals). Scaly anteaters belong to Order Pholidota, characterized by keratin scales and insectivorous diet, firmly placing them as eutherians with chorioallantoic placenta.
Option Analysis
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(1) Eutheria: Correct; pangolins are placental mammals (eutherians) giving live birth with extended gestation via placenta, not pouches or eggs.
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(2) Prototheria: Incorrect; egg-laying monotremes like platypus—pangolins bear live young.
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(3) Metatheria: Incorrect; marsupials with pouches (e.g., kangaroo)—pangolins lack pouches, have true placentas.
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(4) Insectivora: Incorrect; outdated order for shrews/moles, not a mammalian subclass; Pholidota is distinct.
Scaly anteaters classification eutheria places pangolins (Pholidota) within placental mammals, key for GATE Life Sciences zoology classification. These unique scaled mammals from Africa/Asia use long tongues for ants/termites, protected globally due to trafficking threats.
Mammalian Subclasses
Mammalia divides into:
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Prototheria: Egg-layers (echidna).
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Metatheria: Pouched young.
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Eutheria: Placental (majority, including humans, pangolins).
Pangolins: Family Manidae, live birth, no pouch—definitive eutherian.
Classification Table
| Option | Group Type | Examples | Pangolin Fit? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eutheria (placental) | Humans, bats, whales | Yes |
| 2 | Prototheria | Platypus | No (live birth) |
| 3 | Metatheria | Kangaroo | No (no pouch) |
| 4 | Insectivora | Shrews | No (separate order Pholidota) |
Exam Strategy
GATE pitfalls: Insectivora (old grouping); Metatheria confusion. Memorize: Scales + ants + live birth = Eutheria/Pholidota. Critical for evolutionary biology MCQs.
