Re: "Neomammals" (arising out of Neoaves discussion)

[gerarus@westnet.com.au]

>>> Anomalopterygidae
>>
>>I thought *Anomalopteryx* was a moa (Dinornithidae)?
>>
    Traditionally, moas (Dinornithiformes) have been divided into two
families, Dinornithidae (which contains only _Dinornis_) and
Anomalopterygidae (all other genera). However, phylogenetic analyses
(see Worthy and Holdaway, 2002) have found Anomalopterygidae to be
paraphyletic, with _Megalapteryx_ outside the node _Dinornis_ + [all
other Anomalopterygidae].
    DNA has been recovered for _Aptornis_ (Aptornithidae) by Houde et
al. (1997),  another of the families on Tommy's list (I can't find
the original reference, but I believe it's referenced in Worthy &
Holdaway [again]). Analysis of the DNA found it close to Rallidae,
which is in contrast to the usual morphological result (e.g. Livezey,
1998) of sister to _Rhynochetos_. However, as the DNA sequence
recovered was apparently quite short, I'm a little more inclined to
favour the morphological result.

    Cheers,

        Christopher Taylor