After Hou et al., 1996, Hou et al., 1999 & Feduccia, 1996
<==o Aves sensu traditionalis (linnut; birds) |?- †Wyleyia valdensis Harrison & Walker, 1973 [nomen dubium] |--o Saururae Haeckel, 1866 sensu Hou et al., 1996, Hou et al., 1999 & Feduccia, 1996 [Sauriurae] (liskolinnut; "lizard tails") | |--o Archaeopterygiformes | | |?- †Rahonavis ostromi (Forster, Sampson, Chiappe & Krause, 1998a) [Rahona ostromi Forster, Sampson, Chiappe & Krause, 1998a] | | |?- †Protarchaeopteryx robusta Ji & Ji, 1997 | | |?- †Jeholornis prima Zhou & Zhang, 2002b | | `--o †Archaeopterygidae Huxley, 1871 | | `-- †Archaeopteryx lithographica Meyer, 1861 [Synonyms] (liskolintu; urvogel) | `--+?- †Alvarezsauridae sensu Chiappe, 1995, 1998 | `--+--o †Confuciusornithidae Hou et al., 1995 | | |-- †Changchengornis hengdaoziensis Ji et al., 1998 | | `-- †Confuciusornis sanctus Hou et al., 1995 [Synonyms] | `-- †Enantiornithes Walker, 1981 [Enantiornithomorpha Chiappe et al. 1999] (vastalinnut; opposite birds) `-- Ornithurae Haeckel, 1866 sensu Feduccia 1996 [Ornithuromorpha Chiappe, Ji, Ji & Norell, 1999] (nykylintumaiset linnut; modernlike birds)
Note:
This is an alternative phylogeny [actually deductive, non-computer assisted phylogeny] of basal birds. It represents view of Alan Feduccia and some of his collaborators and students. They belive that Archaeopteryx, Confuciusornithidae and Enantiornithes form a monophyletic group, Saururae, which separated from ancestors of Ornithurae [= Ornithuromorpha] at Middle Jurassic times (180–160 Ma).
Alan Feduccia has also been in vocal opposition of the current orthodoxy, that regards birds as specialiced theropod dinosaurs. Unfortunately Mr. Feduccia or any of his supporters haven't come up with a detailed phylogenetic analysis that supports their views.
Reference(s):
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