Monotremes, as the only living non-therian mammals, are an ancient group that has existed in Australia, New Guinea, South America and Antarctica since at least the Cretaceous. Although represented by very few species today, they were far more diverse in Australia when dinosaurs ruled the roost, but soon became less diverse and more specialised in the shadow of the expanding marsupial and placental mammal dynasties throughout the Cenozoic. Despite this long-term decline, they continued to thrive in Australia and New Guinea after the geographic isolation of the Australian continent but subsequently went extinct in Antarctica and South America. Why they survived in Australia and New Guinea but not South America remains a mystery.
Today, the aquatic platypus and terrestrial short-beaked echidna are the only monotremes left in Australia, with three additional long-beaked echidna species found only in New Guinea. All these enigmatic egg-laying mammals are highly specialised invertebrate eaters, each with its own highly specialised morphology suited to specific diets and lifestyles. Although an important part of Australia’s globally unique wildlife and the focus of considerable ongoing conservation efforts, much is still unknown about monotreme evolution, taxonomy, morphology, behaviour and ecology.
This Forum will significantly expand current understanding about monotremes with new research presented about the living species as well as the fossil record of South America, Australia and New Guinea. This should provide, among other things, important insights into the best ways to develop conservation strategies to ensure these fascinating but too often threatened mammals survive into the future.
Registration
Registration is now open, with early bird discounts (until 10 August) as well as discounts for RZS NSW Members.
RZS NSW members must be logged in at rzsnsw.org.au to access the member rates.
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Forum Flyer
RZS NSW 2025 Forum Flyer (V2. 27 May 2025).
Forum Program
Program for RZS Forum 2025 (V6. 16 June 2025).
