Deinonychosauria (was Re: The Question Of The Day ?)

[Tom Holtz <tholtz@geochange.er.usgs.gov>]

>   The entire Deinonychosauria, including the Archaeopterygids and birds.

Deinonychosauria (=Troodontidae + Dromaeosauridae) has never included the
birds.  In fact, many dinosaur workers now agree that 'deinonychosaurs' are
diphyletic, with dromaeosaurids being closer to birds, and troodontids
closer to ornithomimids.

>   If you want to see somebody have a coniption fit, tell them that birds
>are reptiles.....

Actually, you will find that many of the younger paleontologists will NOT
have a coniption, but will congratulate you on your being up-to-date on
phylogenetic taxonomy.

(And, of course, followers of Voltaire already know that birds are
'feathered reptiles').

                                
                 Thomas R. Holtz, Jr.                  Phone: 703-648-5280      
                 Vertebrate Paleontologist         Fax:    703-648-5420
tholtz@geochange.er.usgs.gov ------------>       th81@umail.umd.edu
U.S. Geological Survey          ------------->       University of Maryland
Branch of Paleontology & Stratigraphy ---->       Department of Geology
MS 970 National Center
Reston, VA  22092               ------------->        College Park, MD  20742
                                                          U.S.A.