Chuck DarwinThe largest-ever study of #bird #genomes has produced a remarkably clear picture of the bird family tree.
The study shows that most modern groups of birds first appeared within 5 million years after the extinction of the dinosaurs.
Previous studies showed the bird family tree has three major branches.
The first branch contains the #tinamous and #ratites, which include flightless birds such as the emu, kiwi and ostrich.
The second branch holds the #landfowl and #waterfowl – chickens, ducks and so on.
All other birds sit on the third branch, known as the #Neoaves, which include 95% of bird species.
The Neoaves branch includes ten groups of birds.
Most of these are what biologists have named the “Magnificent Seven”: landbirds, waterbirds, tropicbirds, cuckoos, nightjars, doves and flamingos.
The other three groups are known as the “orphans” and include the shorebirds, cranes and hoatzin, a species from South America.
The relationships among these ten groups, especially the orphans, have been incredibly difficult to resolve
The new genome study revealed a new grouping of birds we have named “#Elementaves”. With a name inspired by the four ancient elements of earth, air, water and fire, this group includes birds well adapted for success on land, in the sky and in the water.
The Elementaves group includes hummingbirds, shorebirds, cranes, penguins and pelicans.
https://theconversation.com/after-10-years-of-work-landmark-study-reveals-new-tree-of-life-for-all-birds-living-today-226743
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