Notopalaeognathae

= Notopalaeognathae = From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to navigationJump to search Notopalaeognathae is a clade that contains the order Rheiformes (rheas), the clade Novaeratitae (birds such as the kiwis and the emus), the order Tinamiformes (tinamous) and the extinct order Dinornithiformes (the moas).[2] The exact relationships of this group have only recently been understood, with tinamous and the moas sharing a common ancestor[3][4][5][6] and the kiwis are more closely related to emus and cassowaries.[5] The extinct elephant birds of Madagascar have recently been identified as closest relative to the kiwis.[5] The rheas are either the basal most branch of notopalaeognaths[7] or the sister group to Novaeratitae.[2] The sister group to Notopalaeognathae is Struthionidae (the ostrich family).