What is the basal clade of a mammalia?

The basal clade of Mammalia refers to the earliest branching lineages of mammals that diverged from the common ancestor of all mammals. This group includes monotremes, such as the platypus and echidna, which are egg-laying mammals. These basal mammals exhibit primitive traits and provide insights into the evolutionary history of the entire class Mammalia. Understanding this clade helps researchers study the characteristics and adaptations that define mammals as a whole.