In: Biology
Propose an explanation for why there are no predominantly-aquatic marsupials while there are many aquatic placentals (seals, whales, manatees, etc.)
There are no predominantly-aquatic marsupials while there are many aquatic placentals (seals, whale, manatees ets.)
This is due to the reason that:
In placentals the foetus from its early development stage to a fully developed one is being carried inside the mother. So the foetus is protected completely from the outside environment.
For monotremes (platypus and echidna) they lay eggs in land, and hence are protected from the outer environment.
But in case of marsupials, the foetus from its early developmental stage crawls and gets attached to the teat that is located inside the pouch or the so called marsupium. If there existed predominantly aquatic-marsupials the, foetus in its early developmental stage that is being attached and held inside the pouch would be prone to water borne pathogens as well as the predators. In addition they would not posses fully developed respiratory organs. Such a foetus in any case would not be able to survive.