Mirandornithes

Mirandornithes (name coined by Sangster (2005)[1]) is a clade that consists of flamingos and grebes. Many scholars use the term Phoenicopterimorphae for the superorder containing flamingoes and grebes.[2][3]

Mirandornithes
Temporal range: Eocene–Recent
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Clade: Aequorlitornithes
Clade: Mirandornithes
Sangster, 2005
Orders

Determining the relationships of both groups has been problematic. Flamingos had been placed with numerous branches within Neognathae, such as ducks and storks. The grebes had been placed with the loons. However recent studies have confirmed these two branches as sister groups.[3][4][5][6][7][8][9]

Both primitive phoenicopteriformes and their closest relatives, the grebes, were highly aquatic. This indicates that the entire mirandornithe group evolved from aquatic, probably swimming ancestors.[6]

Synapomorphies

According to Mayr (2004) and Sangster (2005) there are at least twelve distinct morphological synapomorphies that are unique to this clade:[1]

  1. "At least the fourth to seventh cervical vertebrae strongly elongate, with processus spinosus forming a marked ridge.
  2. Humerus with a marked oval depression at insertion site of musculus scapulohumeralis cranialis.
  3. At least 23 presacral vertebrae.
  4. At least four thoracic vertebrae fused to a notarium.
  5. Distal end of ulna with marked oval depression radialis.
  6. Phalanx proximalis digiti majoris very elongate and narrow craniocaudally.
  7. Distal rim of condylus medialis of tibiotarsus distinctly notched.
  8. Pars acetabularis of musculus iliotibialis lateralis absent.
  9. Pars caudalis of musculus caudofemoralis absent.
  10. Wing with 12 primaries
  11. Left arteria carotis reduced or absent.
  12. Eggs covered with a chalky layer of amorphous calcium phosphate."
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References
  1. Sangster, G. (July 2005). "A name for the flamingo-grebe clade". Ibis. 147 (3): 612–615. doi:10.1111/j.1474-919x.2005.00432.x.
  2. Joel Cracraft; et al. "Justifications of names for higher taxa" (PDF).
  3. Jarvis, E.D.; et al. (12 December 2014). "Whole-genome analyses resolve early branches in the tree of life of modern birds". Science. 346 (6215): 1320–1331. doi:10.1126/science.1253451. PMC 4405904. PMID 25504713.
  4. Tuinen, Van; Butvill, M.; Kirsch, D.B.; Hedges, S.B. (7 July 2001). "Convergence and divergence in the evolution of aquatic birds". Proc. R. Soc. B. 268 (1474): 1345–1350. doi:10.1098/rspb.2001.1679. PMC 1088747. PMID 11429133.
  5. Chubb, A.L. (January 2004). "New nuclear evidence for the oldest divergence among neognath birds: The phylogenetic utility of ZENK (i)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 30 (1): 140–151. doi:10.1016/S1055-7903(03)00159-3. PMID 15022765.
  6. Mayr, G. (February 2004). "Morphological evidence for sister group relationship between flamingos (Aves: Phoenicopteridae) and grebes (Podicipedidae)". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 140 (2): 157–169. doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.2003.00094.x.
  7. Fain, M.G. Houde (November 2004). "Parallel radiations in the primary clades of birds". Evolution. 58 (11): 2558–2573. doi:10.1554/04-235. PMID 15612298.
  8. Ericson, J.I.; Anderson, P.G.P.; Britton, C.L.; Elzanowski, T.; Johansson, A.; Kllersj, U.S.; Ohlson, M.; Parsons, T.J. (22 December 2006). "Diversification of Neoaves: integration of molecular sequence data and fossils". Biology Letters. 2 (4): 543–547. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2006.0523. PMC 1834003. PMID 17148284.
  9. Hackett, S.J.; et al. (27 June 2008). "A phylogenomic study of birds reveals their evolutionary history". Science. 320 (5884): 1763–1768. doi:10.1126/science.1157704. PMID 18583609.
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