At one time, birds held the same taxonomic rank as Reptilia and Mammalia. Now, however, they are considered as part of the reptile clade. Without this change, ________.
A) birds would be considered Mammalia because both groups are endothermic
B) birds would be classified according to traits that were convergently evolved
C) Reptilia would be paraphyletic
D) Reptilia would be monophyletic

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If birds were still classified as their own separate taxonomic group, Reptilia would be paraphyletic (meaning it does not include all the descendants of a common ancestor). This is because birds evolved from a group of reptiles and are now considered to be part of the reptile clade, and therefore should be included in the same group as other reptiles.

At One Time, Birds Held the Same Taxonomic Rank as Reptilia