Comparing Cats: A Discussion of Similarities & Differences

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The research paper also highlighted the function of clavicles

"Clavicles are reduced or absent in most members of the order Carnivora. In no carnivoran species do the clavicles come in contact with the acromion process or the manubrium. When present (as in felids), the bone is imbedded in the muscles of the shoulder, connected by fibrous tissue to the scapula and to the sternum by a ligamentous band (Field and Taylor, 1950; Evans, 1993; Cerny and Cizinauskas, 1995). Extant felid species retain the bone (deep to and the dividing border of the clavotrapezius and clavodeltoideus mm.), whereas many adult caniforms have lost the bone altogether (Cerny and Cizinauskas, 1995). Adaptive advantages to reduction or loss of the clavicles may include freeing the shoulder movement to increase stride, linear (rather than arcuate) excursion of the shoulder joint, and restriction of pectoral limb movements to the sagittal plane for increased cursoriality (Jenkins, 1974; Cerny and Cizinauskas,1995). Greater absorption of impact from running/landing by pectoral limb muscles might also be facilitated by clavicle reduction."

In all, it acts as an anchor for two muscles - clavotrapezius and clavodeltoideus Reply