Morphology forms the most fundamental level of data in vertebrate palaeontology because it
is through interpretations of morphology that taxa are identified, creating the basis for broad …

A critical stage in the development of all vertebrate embryos is the generation of the body
plan and its subsequent patterning and regionalisation along the main anterior-posterior …

This chapter will cover clade definitions, the relationships within clades as well as the
occasional controversial relationships between different clades. Phylogenies arising from a …

Secondary aquatic vertebrates exhibit a diversity of swimming modes that use paired limbs
and/or the tail. Various secondarily aquatic tetrapod clades, including amphibians, reptiles …

The confuciusornithids are the earliest known beaked birds, and constitute the only species-
rich clade of Early Cretaceous pygostylian birds that existed prior to the cladogenesis of …

The avian bronchial tree has a unique and elaborate architecture for the maintenance of
unidirectional airflow. Gross descriptions of this bronchial arrangement have traditionally …

An unabated surge of new and important discoveries continues to transform knowledge of
pennaraptoran biology and evolution amassed over the last 150+ years.! is chapter …

Abstract The Early Cretaceous basal birds were known largely from just two-dimensionally
preserved specimens from north-eastern China (Jehol Biota), which has hindered our …

The intervertebral disc (IVD) has long been considered unique to mammals.
Palaeohistological sampling of 17 mostly extinct clades across the amniote tree revealed …

Synopsis Tails are a defining characteristic of chordates and show enormous diversity in
function and shape. Although chordate tails share a common evolutionary and genetic …