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RE: [...] Archaeopteryx 10



Thomas R. Holtz, Jr. wrote:

For what it is worth, should _A. siemensii_ be considered a distinct genus, it reverts to good old _Archaeornis_

I would rate this as a definite possibility - if the two species are indeed separate. As discussed in previous threads, most of _Archaeopteryx_'s characters are primitive (plesiomorphic) for Aves. Thus, if the two species (_lithographica_ and _siemensi_) are distinct, _Archaeopteryx_ may emerge as paraphyletic in a cladistic analysis. Thus, each species would warrant its own genus, and _Archaeornis_ is available for _siemensi_.


This could lead to fun and games if _Archaeornis_ is below _Archaeopteryx_ in the cladogram. Under this scenario, _Archaeopteryx_ would be included in Aves, but _Archaeornis_ would not (at least under the most commonly used definition, according to which Aves has _Archaeopteryx_ as its most basal taxon).

Cheers

Tim

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