Phylogeny of Archosauria (including Aves)
Although the term is often used for any large, extinct "
reptilian" animal, including swimming (Phytosaurs) and
flying (Pterosaurs) forms, true Dinosauria comprises
only two entirely terrestrial clades, the Ornithischia ("bird-hipped") and Saurischia
("lizard-hipped")
dinosaurs, as well as Aves (Birds).
Hip
structures in Aves and Ornithischia are analogous, not
homologous*. Modern avian birds are
more closely related to saurischian dinosaurs (such as
quadrupedal Apatosaurus and
bipedal Tyrannosaurus) than to ornithischian
dinosaurs (such as quadrupedal
Triceratops) & bipedal
Pachycephalosaurus).
*The famous paleontologist Alfred
Sherwood Romer reminds us, "Student: You said
that before. Romer: Yes, but you had forgotten it. Student:
Not a bit of it. Romer: Very well, let's continue."