Theria Definition and Examples - Biology Online Dictionary (original) (raw)

Definition
noun
A taxonomic group (subclass) comprised of metatherian and eutherian mammals
Supplement
Theria is a subgroup of Class Mammalia. It consists of metatherians (marsupials) and eutherians (true placental mammals) that give birth to live young as opposed to non-therian mammals that lay eggs.
Word origin: Greek therion (wild beast)
See also:

• eutherian
• metatherian

Compare:

• Prototheria

Related term(s):

• therian

Last updated on July 21st, 2021