Mirandornithes
Mirandornithes (/mɪˌrændɔːrˈnɪθiːz/) is a clade that consists of flamingos and grebes. Many scholars use the term Phoenicopterimorphae for the superorder containing flamingoes and grebes.
| Mirandornithes Temporal range: Early Miocene-Recent,
Possible an early origin based on molecular clock | |
|---|---|
| Greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) and great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Clade: | Neoaves |
| Clade: | Mirandornithes Sangster, 2005 |
| Subclades | |
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| Synonyms | |
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Determining the relationships of both groups has been problematic. Flamingos had been placed with numerous branches within Neognathae, such as ducks and storks. The grebes had been placed with the loons. However recent studies have confirmed these two branches as sister groups.
Both primitive phoenicopteriformes and their closest relatives, the grebes, were highly aquatic. This indicates that the entire mirandornithe group evolved from aquatic, probably swimming ancestors.
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