What is the distinct evolutionary order classification assigned to the aardvark?
Answer
Tubulidentata.
The aardvark (*Orycteropus afer*) is classified within its own unique evolutionary order, designated as Tubulidentata. This classification emphasizes its highly distinct evolutionary path compared to other African mammals, including those it might superficially resemble, such as pigs, due to snout shape or nocturnal habits. This uniqueness is a direct reflection of its specialized feeding niche, which has remained largely unchanged and specialized across millennia, reinforcing its separation from other mammalian orders.
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