Australidelphia

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Australidelphia (Austridelphia) One of the two cohorts into which the Metatheria (marsupials) are often divided. There are five orders: Dasyuromorphia; Diprotodontia; Dromiciopsia; Peramelemorphia; and Syndactyliformes. All except the Dromiciopsia occur in Australia and New Guinea. Because representatives of both cohorts are found in S. America, the hypothesis of a neotropical origin for marsupials (which spread only later into the Australian–New Guinea region and Antarctica) is supported.

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