Tetrapod classification
1982; Oxford University Press; Volume: 74; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1111/j.1096-3642.1982.tb01148.x
ISSN1096-3642
Autores Tópico(s)Turtle Biology and Conservation
ResumoThe traditional palaeontological view that the mammals separated from the 'reptiles' before the origin of all other living amniotes is challenged. A radical alternative hypothesis, based on a character analysis of living tetrapods, is elaborated in which birds are considered the sister-group of mammals, crocodiles the sister-group of those two, chelonians the sister-group of those three, and squamates + Sphenodon the sister-group of those four. The living Amphibia are hypothesized to form a natural group and to be the sister-group of the Amniota. Further, I conclude that the Anapsida, Diapsida and Synapsida are paraphyletic or grade groups and no unique statements can be made about their structure.
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