Re: Air sacs in extant non-avian reptiles?

[ELurio@aol.com]

In a message dated 7/31/00 9:28:50 AM, tholtz@geol.umd.edu writes:

<< Theoretically independant of this is a shift in the convention of naming

groups, with a traditional system based on grades of organization and the

current system based on nested pattern of ancestry.  In point of fact, one

could simultaneously reject the dinosaurian origin of birds but still accept

birds as part of Reptilia (as they clearly are a member of the clade of

organisms descending from the most recent common ancestor of turtles,

lepidosaurs, and archosaurs (being archosaurs themselves!!).  >>

The convention of naming groups is a highly political activity, and the 
change of the term "reptile" is an example of this. The preferred term is 
"amniote." A chicken is as much of a reptile as you are.

eric l.