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Question

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This evogram (Figure 4.23) illustrates the lineages of therapods by arranging the branches of a cladogram along a timeline (top). Some of the key character changes that distinguish each branch of theropods are listed at each node. The thick lines show the ages of known fossils, and the ages of the nodes are estimates based on the known ages of the fossils
Explain why living birds are considered dinosaurs.

What trait(s) distinguish living birds from theropod dinosaurs?

• Which branches of theropods have feathers?

• Which branches may have been able to fly?

Explanation / Answer

Modern birds descended from a group of two-legged dinosaurs known as theropods with incredible similarities between birds and the theropod dinosaurs. Some of the similarities are birds have scales, lay eggs like other reptiles, with other skeletal resemblances between birds and other reptiles.

Coelurosaurian theropods are the one with feathers.

Pterodactyl, Pteranodon are the branches may have been able to fly.

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