What term describes the taxonomic situation where the Genus Setonix contains only the single living species S. brachyurus?
Answer
Monotypic
When a biological genus is established to contain only one extant species, it is formally recognized as being **monotypic**. The Genus *Setonix* fits this description perfectly, housing only *Setonix brachyurus*. This taxonomic uniqueness signifies that the quokka lineage has diverged sufficiently from other small macropods to warrant its own distinct genus classification within the Macropodidae family, setting it apart from groups like those in the *Macropus* genus.
Related Questions
What specific anatomical feature does the specific epithet brachyurus in Setonix brachyurus describe?What characteristic structure defines the Order Diprotodontia, which includes the quokka?The Family Macropodidae is named for a shared physical trait relating to what part of the body?What term describes the taxonomic situation where the Genus Setonix contains only the single living species S. brachyurus?What is the highest taxonomic rank classification assigned to the quokka in the formal system of life organization?Which structural feature is fundamental in classifying the quokka under the Phylum Chordata?Which geographic location supports the healthiest concentration of Setonix brachyurus populations due to environmental factors?What common name, highlighting its size relative to vermin, was sometimes historically used for the quokka?What is the critical characteristic that places the quokka within Class Mammalia?Compared to the diverse Macropus genus, what does the structure of the Setonix genus imply about the quokka's evolutionary path?