4
$\begingroup$

Here is a question I am trying to find the answer to

Reptiles are a paraphyletic group because... ?

A) They include worm lizards, which have no limbs

B) The group doesn’t include birds

C) The group doesn’t include mammals

D) Not all of them have three- chambered hearts

I’m a bit confused about the reasoning. I know a paraphyletic group does not have all of its descendants so if birds were to be included it would become monophyletic. So is B the answer? Could anyone help explain it better?

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
1
  • 3
    $\begingroup$ I think the question's phrasing is a little wobbly, which make it a little hard to understand. But I think you understood what your teacher was expecting. I agree with you, answer is B. $\endgroup$
    – Remi.b
    Commented Jul 16, 2019 at 6:21

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
5
$\begingroup$

I think the question's phrasing is arguably a little wobbly, typically as to the nature of what someone would mean by the term "reptile". But I think you understood what your teacher was expecting. I agree with you, answer is B.

Reptilia is a clade (clade = monophyletic group) that encompasses all species that we traditionally classify as reptiles + all birds. Hence, our traditional definition of reptile makes up for a paraphyletic group as birds aren't included.

Related post: If dinosaurs could have feathers, would they still be reptiles?

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
1
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ To me it seems "Reptiles are a paraphyletic group because the group doesn’t include birds" is fine and not the least "wobbly", assuming Reptiles != Reptilia. $\endgroup$
    – mgkrebbs
    Commented Jul 16, 2019 at 17:16

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .