For a proponent of PhyloCode classification, what is true of the reptile clade if birds are not included in it?
A) It becomes paraphyletic and, thus, an invalid reflection of evolutionary history.
B) It becomes a subclass, instead of a class.
C) It becomes a superclass, whereas the birds remain a class.
D) PhyloCode does not concern itself with what is, or is not, a clade.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

PhyloCode classification is based on the principles of cladistics, which require all taxa to be monophyletic, meaning they include all descendants of a common ancestor. If birds are excluded from the reptile clade, it becomes paraphyletic and does not reflect the true evolutionary history of these organisms.

For a Proponent of PhyloCode Classification, What Is True of the Reptile