On the shoulder girdle of the mammalian subclass Allotheria. American Museum novitates ; no. 2066

Abstract

"The Allotheria constitute a nominally mammalian subclass consisting of a single order, the Multituberculata. The known chronologic range of Allotheria is long: late Jurassic to early Eocene. The shoulder girdle is known from only three scapulocoracoids, only one of which was unquestionably associated with remains of the dentition. An interclavicle may be referable to the Allotheria, but only with considerable doubt. The allotherian shoulder girdle differs significantly from that of the subclasses Theria and Prototheria. Similarities to cynodont therapsids and to foetal marsupials suggest that the Allotheria originated either from cynodonts or from early mammals still possessing a shoulder girdle at the cynodont level of organization"--P. 23.