An Additional Character Linking Ratites and Tinamous, and an Interpretation of Their Monophyly
- 1 September 1966
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Ornithological Applications
- Vol. 68 (5) , 459-471
- https://doi.org/10.2307/1365318
Abstract
Examined ratites (ostriches, rheas, emus, cassowaries, kiwis, and moas) and tinamous share a conformation of the rhamphotheca not found in other birds. This is interpreted as an additional piece of evidence that resemblances among this group are to be attributed to monophyletic origin rather than to convergence. Their monophyly is thought to be at approximately the family level, with several lines of descent from a family of "proto-tinamous" having independently attained the "ratite grade." Classification of ratites and tinamous should reflect this relationship without exaggerating their differences from other birds.This publication has 8 references indexed in Scilit:
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