Re: birds and avians again

["T. Mike Keesey" <tmk@dinosauricon.com>]

On Sat, 1 Sep 2001, aspidel wrote:

> From: T. Mike Keesey <tmk@dinosauricon.com>
>
> > On Fri, 31 Aug 2001 ELurio@aol.com wrote:
> > > In a message dated 8/31/01 5:35:35 PM, jodan99@uol.com.br writes:
>
> > > 2) the Linnean definition of Aves = feathered, winged, WARM-blooded
> > > oviparous vertebrates
> >
> > What about kiwis? _Caudipteryx_?
>
> IMHO, with this definition, the kiwi is a bird (flightless, but a bird).

But it does not meet one of the criteria (winged).

> ... And _Caudipteryx_ also!!!

This definition makes a polyphyletic group, then, since it would not
include dromaeosaurids, for example.

Well, possibly not so much polyphyletic as paraphyletic -- *extremely*
paraphyletic.

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