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Ornithology: Palaeognathaes
Tinamous and Ratites
10
Science
Undergraduate 4
10/08/2013

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Term
Superorder Palaeognathae
Definition
Basal group of birds; earliest
-means "ancient jaw"
includes Tinamiformes, Rheiformes, Struthioniformes, Casuariiformes, Dinornithiformes
Term
Tinamiformes
Definition
tinamous (1 family, 47 species)
South America
Term
4 Ratite Orders
Definition
Rheiformes, Struthioniformes, Casuariiformes, Dinornithiformes
(polyphyletic)
Term
Rheiformes
Definition
rheas
1 family, 2 species
3 toes, fast runners
South America
Term
Struthioniformes
Definition
ostriches
1 family, 1 species
2 toes, fast runners
largest living bird, both sexes of parents care for offspring
Term
Casuariiformes
Definition
Emu & cassowaries
2 families, 4 species
Australo-Papuan (New Guinea) region
3 toes, colorful bony casque on head
kill people
Term
Dinornithiformes
Definition
Kiwis & extinct relatives
1 family, 3 species
Apterygiformes
New Zealand
nocturnal, lay eggs 15-20% of body mass
Term
Palaeognathae traits
Definition
1) reduced keel (tinamous)
2) no keel & flightless (ratites)
3) lost ability to fly
4) sex chromosomes are same size & shape
Term
Palaeognathous palate
Definition
unique structure between nasal passages
Term
Moas
Definition
Dinornithiformes
-giant flightless bird 20-250 kg
went extinct 400 ya
(only predator was Harpogornis moorei, N. Zealand eagle)
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