Definition

Noun: - A historical taxonomic term: "order Raptores" is a term that was used in older biological classification systems. It incorrectly grouped together birds from two distinct modern orders: Falconiformes (which includes falcons, eagles, hawks, and vultures) and Strigiformes (which includes owls).

Usage Notes

• This term is obsolete in modern scientific ornithology. It is primarily encountered in historical texts or discussions about the evolution of biological classification.
• The word "Raptores" itself is derived from Latin, relating to "raptors" or birds of prey, which explains the original, though flawed, grouping logic.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • In the 19th century, many classification systems included the order Raptores.
  • The term order Raptores is a good example of how scientific understanding of bird relationships has changed over time.

Advanced Usage

• In historical/evolutionary biology context: Used to discuss the progression of taxonomic science.
  • The disuse of the order Raptores marked a shift towards more accurate, phylogeny-based classification.

Variants and Related Words

• Raptor (noun): A modern common term for a bird of prey, such as an eagle, hawk, or falcon. This is not a taxonomic group but a descriptive ecological term.
• Falconiformes (noun): The current taxonomic order for diurnal birds of prey like falcons, hawks, and eagles.
• Strigiformes (noun): The current taxonomic order for owls.

Synonyms

• Historical/obsolete synonym: None that are precise, as it was a specific taxonomic term. It could be loosely described as an outdated bird-of-prey order.

Related Phrases/Concepts

• Polyphyletic group: A group that does not include the common ancestor of all members. The order Raptores is now considered polyphyletic because it combined birds from separate evolutionary lineages.
• Taxonomic revision: The process of changing classification, which led to the abandonment of the order Raptores.

Noun

1. term used in former classifications; erroneously grouped together birds of the orders Falconiformes and Strigiformes