what do birds and reptiles have in common

At first glance, there are countless differences between birds and reptiles. Birds have feathers, can fly, and are warm-blooded, while reptiles have scales, cannot fly, and are cold-blooded. However, there are similarities, starting with the fact that both birds and reptiles have descended from dinosaurs.

Both birds and reptiles have a common ancestry with dinosaurs and are members of the group Diapsida. The closest reptile relation to birds is the crocodile. While there was little dispute that reptiles were ancestors of dinosaurs, it wasnt until 1860, with the discovery of the birdlike dinosaur Archaropteryx lithographica, that the theory that birds and reptiles are related had physical evidence. Since then, many theropod dinosaurs have been discovered that share traits with birds, such as hollow bones and feathers.

How Birds and Reptiles are Related

We specialize in reptiles and amphibians here at the zoo, and that includes exhibits with emus and parakeets. [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=” av_uid=’av-vutdal’] As a result, we frequently receive feedback from guests who question why, exactly, there are birds at a reptile zoo. The short answer is that birds are reptiles, but it wasn’t always so. Let us explain. [/av_textblock].

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Av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=” av_uid=’av-7pq8rwt’] The four main categories of reptiles that exist today are: crocodilians, dinosaurs, turtles and tortoises, and lizards and snakes. The final two groups are the living reptiles most closely related to birds, the archosaurs, a highly specialized group of reptiles that have existed for 225 million years.

Here’s a more detailed explanation from Arizona State University’s Ask a Biologist:

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Source: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/museum/events/bigdinos2005/turkey.html

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Due to anatomical similarities, many scientists have long assumed that birds and reptiles are related, but there is no concrete evidence to support this theory. [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=” av_uid=’av-4t893sd’] However, in 1860, a highly detailed fossil of the dinosaur Archaropteryx lithographica, which resembled a bird, was found by archaeologists. This fossil filled the gap left by the absence of the “transitional species” that scientists needed to connect reptiles and birds. Since then, many fossils of feathered dinosaurs have been found. [/av_textblock].

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[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=” av_uid=’av-2ge1jm5′] Birds may be most closely related to living reptiles, but they descended from theropod dinosaurs when it comes to their relationship with dinosaurs. These theropods share over 100 traits with modern birds. Here are a few:

Three forward-facing toes
Fused collarbone, called a wishbone (yes, that kind of wishbone!)
Hollow bones
Feathers

Granted, not every theropod dinosaur was able to soar—imagine a Tyrannosaurus Rex on the air!—but some did have inadequate skeletal adaptations or primitive feathers. Feathers are believed to have been used for mating displays in the past, and birds today continue to do so.

As was previously mentioned, 65 million years ago, a mass extinction event caused swift worldwide events like volcanic eruptions and tsunamis. Larger animals were at a disadvantage when resources became scarce, and all dinosaurs other than birds perished. Ultimately, birds evolved because they had to adapt to a changing environment, which is what made them successful. There are between 9,000 and 10,000 species of birds today, deriving directly from dinosaurs! [/av_textblock]

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Both birds and reptiles have scales

Reptiles are known for their rough, scaly skin. In addition to providing physical defense, the reptile’s scales stop water loss, which causes dehydration.

At first glance, birds dont seem to have any similar skin when compared to reptiles. Most of their body is covered with feathers that allow for flight and insulation. However, a closer look reveals that birds do, in fact, have scales on their feet that are very similar to those found on reptiles. Both scales and feathers are adaptations that develop from epithelial, or skin, cells.

There are many similarities in the ways that birds and reptiles reproduce. Both birds and reptiles fertilize eggs internally. Both types of animals have an opening called a cloaca. This opening is where eggs, sperm, and bodily waste travels in the body. Male birds and reptiles will deliver sperm to the females cloaca.

Via the cloaca, birds, turtles, and certain other reptiles deposit their eggs, which hatch into live young. Not all reptiles do this, however. Some species give birth to live young.

There are, of course, many differences. Birds lay eggs with hard shells, and they feed and protect their young. In addition, most bird species are monogamous, and mates stay together to care for the eggs. Most reptile species do not care for their eggs or young. When the babies hatch, they must survive on their own.

Red blood cell anatomy

Red blood cells are in charge of transferring carbon dioxide waste from the body back to the lungs for exhalation and oxygen from the lungs to all of the body’s cells. Because of a molecule called heme, which carries iron and oxygen, these cells are red. These are basic human cells without a nucleus or other components that are typically present in most cells. The cell can adopt its distinct, biconcave shape because it does not have a nucleus.

Both birds and reptiles have red blood cells that contain a nucleus. This means that the cells have an oval shape. The DNA in the nuclei determines how large the cells can get. Smaller red blood cells are advantageous, as they allow more oxygen to be transported throughout the body.

FAQ

How are birds and reptiles related?

Both birds and reptiles are descended from the group Reptilia, which are diapsids, or animals with two openings on each side of the skull. So from a phylogenetic standpoint, birds are reptiles.

What trait do mammals birds and reptiles all have in common?

They are all multicellular eukaryotic organisms. They are all deuterostome animals, in the group Vertebrata (with vertebrae). They all have craniums, paired sense organs, jaws, paired appendages, and internal skeletons. They all use muscles to move around their environments.

Which do birds reptiles and fish have in common?

Birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish all share the common trait of laying eggs. Additionally, all four types of animals are classified as vertebrates. This means that they have a series of bones called ‘vertebrae’ that protect the spinal cord and comprise what is commonly called the ‘backbone’.

Which of the following reptiles are closely related to birds?

The extant reptiles most closely related to birds are crocodilians, i.e crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gharials. Crocodiles and birds, along with the extinct pterosaurs belong to a clade called archosaurs.