Information for Molecular Studies from Anatomical and Fossil Evidence on Higher Eutherian Phylogeny

摘要: The mammals seem ideally suited for taxonomy. As the eminent Theodore Gill wrote in 1873, “it takes no penetrating acumen to recognize man, monkeys, bats, typical ruminants, and cetaceans as distinct forms existent nature” (Gill, 1873). This clarity of vision, however, does not extend question relationships among major mammalian groups. Although there is nearly unanimous agreement on tripartite division into monotremes, marsupials, eutherians, generally stops at this point. majority living mammals, eutherians or “placentals,” are often presented a series some 15 ordinal-level taxa without reference hierarchic classification. Similarly, phylogenetic history commonly depicted bushlike radiation sprouting from mysterious roots end Mesozoic.