Re: Trogons and Grebes

[David Marjanovic <david.marjanovic@gmx.at>]

> A strict phylogenetic taxonomist would probably call this clade
> "Pantrogoniformes".

Fortunately phylogenetic nomenclature* is not synonymous with the Pan- 
convention. At least not yet.

* Actually... there is no such thing as "phylogenetic taxonomy". There's 
just phylogenetic systematics (cladistics) and phylogenetic nomenclature.

> >   Sangster, G. 2005.

Ah. So not "Gangster". <phew> :-)

> "A node- rather than a stem-based
> definition of Mirandornithes is selected because its sister-taxon is
> unresolved (see below)

What about *Juncitarsus*, as proposed by Mayr?

> If _Neogaeornis_ and _Polarornis_ (both foot-propelled diving
> birds fro the LK) are indeed divers (loons), then the
> Gaviidae is a very ancient group.

As reported, even molecular divergence date estimates say they're too old 
for that. :-)