Vertebrate Paleontology

  1. Avian Origins and Early Evolution
    1. Bird Characteristics
      1. Feathers
        1. Flight Adaptations
          1. Respiratory System
            1. Reproductive Features
            2. Feather Evolution
              1. Integumentary Structures
                1. Theropod Feathers
                  1. Functional Transitions
                    1. Developmental Pathways
                    2. Flight Origins
                      1. Arboreal Hypothesis
                        1. Cursorial Hypothesis
                          1. Wing-assisted Incline Running
                          2. Archaeopteryx
                            1. Transitional Features
                              1. Flight Capabilities
                                1. Ecological Context
                                  1. Specimen Diversity
                                  2. Early Avian Radiation
                                    1. Confuciusornithiformes
                                      1. Enantiornithes
                                        1. Euornithes
                                        2. Mesozoic Bird Diversity
                                          1. Hesperornithiformes
                                            1. Ichthyornithiformes
                                              1. Gobipterygiformes
                                                1. Songlingornithiformes
                                                2. Avian Survival
                                                  1. K-Pg Boundary Crossing
                                                    1. Small Body Size Advantage
                                                      1. Ecological Flexibility
                                                      2. Crown Group Birds
                                                        1. Paleognathae
                                                          1. Neognathae
                                                            1. Molecular Phylogeny
                                                              1. Cenozoic Radiation

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                                                            21. Ornithischian Diversity

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                                                            23. Cenozoic Mammalian Radiation