| Description |
vii, 78 pages : illustrations, tables ; 26 cm |
| Series |
Ornithological monographs ; no. 66 |
|
Ornithological monographs ; no. 66
|
| Contents |
Introduction. Definition of Aves -- The BMT hypothesis and alternatives. The BMT hypothesis ; The nonflightless-theropod hypothesis ; The early-archosaur hypothesis ; The crocodylomorph hypothesis ; The hypothesis that birds evolved twice -- Cladistics -- Methods. Construction of matrices ; Methods of analysis of the matrices -- Results. Reanalysis of the CNM matrix ; Analysis of the new matrix ; Alternative analysis of the new matrix -- Discussion. Has the BMT hypothesis been tested? (Unjustifiable assumptions of homology incorporated into data matrices ; Inadequate taxon sampling ; Insufficiently rigorous application of cladistic methods ; Insufficient tests of primary homology statements ; Lack of statistical evaluation ; Verificationist arguments ; Introduction of ad-hoc auxiliary hypotheses) ; Evaluation of alternative hypotheses (Are predictions of the BMT hypothesis supported by our results? ; Are some maniraptorans actually birds more derived than Archaeopteryx? ; Weakened support for the BMT hypothesis and the nonflightless-theropod hypotheses ; Are alternatives to the BMT hypothesis compatible with the evidence?) -- Conclusions -- Appendix 1: Specimens examined -- Appendix 2: Character list for 242 characters, notes, and references -- Appendix 3: Analysis of characters in the manus, carpus, and tarsus that were excluded from the primary analysis of our new matrix. Manus ; Carpus (Disappearance of the avian ulnare and development of the pisiform ; Homology of the proximal carpals in Maniraptora ; Distribution of proximal carpals in nonmaniraptoran theropods ; Homology of the radiale within Aves and between birds and theropods ; Homology of the semilunate carpal within Aves ; Homology of the semilunate carpal within the Theropoda and between theropods and birds ; Identification of distal carpals without knowledge of digital identity) ; Tarsus. Ascending process of the astragalus -- Appendix 4: Data matrix -- Appendix 5: Notes accompanying matrix and scoring decisions for certain taxa |
| Notes |
"Supplement to The Auk 126:2"-- Cover |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 39-51) |
| Subject |
Birds -- Evolution.
|
|
Birds -- Phylogeny.
|
|
Birds, Fossil.
|
| Author |
Pourtless, John A.
|
| ISBN |
0943610850 |
|
9780943610856 |
|
