Paleognathae
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The Paleognathae or paleognaths ("old jaws") are one of the two living superorders of birds. The other living superorder is Neognathae.
The paleognaths contain two living orders of birds, the flightless Struthioniformes, or ratites, and the more primitive flying Tinamiformes. The Lithornithiformes were an extinct order of flying paleognaths.
Most paleognaths have long necks and long legs, and are specialized for running rather than flight; indeed, the ratites are all completely flightless.
References
- Benton, M. J. (2004), Vertebrate Paleontology, 3rd ed. Blackwell Science Ltd
- Feduccia, A. (1996), The origin and evolution of birds. Yale University Press, New Haven and London, xii-420
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