Introduction to Order Aves Evolution of Birds

Introduction to Order Aves

Evolution of Birds

Adaptations of Birds for Flying

Phylogenetic Hierarchy of Birds

(from phylum, down:)

• Chordata, Craniata, Tetrapoda, Amniota

• Class Diapsida, Subclass Archosauria

• Order Aves

• Skull is primitively archosaurian diapsid, but greatly modified in most living birds

• Epidermal scales on legs

Table 25.1 Mesozoic Era, augmented

• Birds first left fossils in late Jurassic Period

• Several types of bird fossils occur throughout the Cretaceous Period

• Birds underwent a rapid and prolific, adaptive radiation at the beginning of the tertiary Period (Cenozoic Era)

Oldest Bird Fossil - Archaeopteryx
Fig. 34.27