bird dinosaurs

Question 1

Linnaean classification

Answer 1

• Linnaeus ( 1758 ) introduced hierarchical structure and binomial nomenclature
• linnaean system underlies all non-phylogenetic systems of taxonomy
- until recently, evolution theory had little impact on systems of classification

Question 2

fossil birds

Answer 2

• fossil record of birds not extensive
• oldest known bird is Archaeopteryx
  ( without feathers loooks exactly like a small coelurosaur )

Question 3

Archaeopteryx

Answer 3

• jurassic 150 MYA
• transitional fossil, with a mixture of reptillian and avian characters
• found in 1861
• not generally considered to be the ancestor of all living birds

Question 4

phylogeny

Answer 4

the evolutionary history of an organism or a group or organisms

Question 5

cladistics

Answer 5

method of classification using hypothesised evolutionary relationships among organisms :

• assumes that members of a taxonomic group (clade) share unique feautures (synapomorphies) which were not present in distant ancestors
• members of a clade are more closely related to members of the same clade than to other organisms

Question 6

theropod

Answer 6

dinosaur clade that is characterized by hollow bones and three-toed limbs

Question 7

birds and theropod dinosaurs

Answer 7

similarities:

• elongate, mobile S-shaped neck
• tridactyl foot with digitgrade posture
• intertarsal ankle joint
• hollow, pseumatised bones

differences:

• feathers
• endothermy

Question 8

Microraptor gui

Answer 8

four-winged dinosaur from china

124 - 128 MYA

Question 9

types of feather

Answer 9

seven type of feather of modern birds :

• wing
• down
• tail
• contour
• semiplume
• bristle
• filoplume

all shared with their sister taxon the Dromaeosaurs