Talk:Reptile
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I think that this page must discuss the problems with classifying reptiles. The traditional classification of reptiles excluded birds; however the modern way of classifying animals depends on cladistics and DNA analysis. This newer information proves that external appearances can often be misleading; birds are just as closely related to other groups within reptiles as other reptiles are related to each other. As such, modern day classification is in the process of reclassifying these organisms. RK
What does "From this point of view, the reptiles are simply the basal amniotes, and so are not a valid group." mean? According to the article on amniotes, mammals and birds are also amniotes, so the amniotes are a monophyletic group, yes...? -- Oliver P. 11:44 31 May 2003 (UTC)
Amniotes are a valid group, but basal amniotes are not. I've altered the text to try reflecting this. Also, I've taken out the bit about how the classification changed because new discoveries suggested certain reptiles were closer to birds. This has been understood for a long time, the change is that paraphyletic groups have not been discouraged until recently. User:Josh Grosse
Thank you for clarifying that. Sorry, I think I must have ignored the word "basal" there because I wasn't sure what it meant. But I understand the article as it is now. -- Oliver P. 15:07 1 Jun 2003 (UTC)
RK, your paragraph was good, but the problem isn't new ideas about relationships - birds and mammals have been considered descendants of reptiles for over a century. The problem is new ideas about classification (i.e. that paraphyly isn't monophyly). I've changed the text to reflect this. Josh