Even in the dinosaur age, the defining features of scaly reptiles and birds weren't so distinct ... even though they sit far apart on the phylogenetic tree. To put it into human terms, "if ...

Both birds and reptiles are descended from the group Reptilia, which are diapsids, or animals with two openings on each side of the skull. So from a phylogenetic standpoint, birds are reptiles.

Both birds and reptiles are descended from the group Reptilia, which are diapsids, or animals with two openings on each side of the skull. So from a phylogenetic standpoint, birds are reptiles. But ...

The resulting phylogenetic estimate offers novel insights into the rapid radiation of modern birds and provides a taxon-rich backbone tree for future comparative studies.” By updating the family ...

Their 'tree of life' is consistent with the time and space patterns in which turtle species appear in the fossil record, highlighting the accuracy of the method. 'Dinos, including birds ...