RE: Our current understanding of Mesozoic bird phylogeny

[Tim Williams <twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com>]

Mickey Mortimer wrote:

> Very possible
> 862 steps- confuciusornithids as enantiornithines
> Surprisingly, this reduced version of Sauriurae (which shouldn't be termed 
> Sauriurae, as it lacks Archaeopteryx) is highly parsimonious.

Interesting.  A Confuciusornithidae+Enantiornithes clade would explain the 
similar hallucal morphology between confuciusornithids and certain 
enantiornitheans (like _Concornis_ and _Sinornis_).  In all these taxa, the 
hallux is medially/posteromedially oriented to form an incipiently or weakly 
perching foot.  Avisaurids show a more advanced condition, presumably 
derived from this; while the perching foot of ornithuromorphs evolved 
independently.

Cheers

Tim

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