Re: Giant flightless birds

["Jaime Headden" <jaemei@hotmail.com>]

<<What birds make up the teratorns, phorusrhacoids, ratites (complete 
with species and subspecies, please)---plus the closest relatives of 
*Diatryma* and the aforementioned groups that are extant?>>

<I'm not sure what you are asking for here - the groups you mention are 
not related to each other, and the teratorns were not flightless.>

A mistake on my part, adding the teratorns. Blame it on confusion.

<Ratites, of course, still exist (ostrich, emu, cassowaries, rheas, 
kiwis and, depending on whom you read, the tinamous, which also fly), as 
do the seriemas which are related to the phorusracoids. The nearest 
relatives of Diatryma are, I believe, uncertain, though relationship to 
cranes has been postulated.>

Rails or cranes, plus ducks (and therefore geese).


The purpose of my query is to gather data on groups of extinct 
flightless birds to trace phylogeny to living forms and to the 
dinosaurs. (Flightlessness being an ancestral trait and therefore a 
semi-good marker for phylogenetic research, in my opinion. Of course, 
I've said that before.) I'm trying to find out the adaptations of the 
rest of the body in addition to/or because of the loss of flight. 
Especially the pelvis.

Any data would be useful. Reply on or off-list.

Jaime A. Headden

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