ratitae
Definition
Noun: - A taxonomic group used in former classifications: The term "ratitae" was historically used in biological classification systems to collectively include all orders of ratite birds. Ratites are a group of flightless birds characterized by a flat breastbone (sternum) without a keel, which is the structure flight muscles attach to in flying birds.
Usage Notes
- Scientific/Historical Term: "Ratitae" is a term from older, now largely obsolete, taxonomic schemes. In modern ornithology, the group "ratites" is still recognized, but the formal taxonomic category "Ratitae" is not commonly used in current scientific literature. The word is primarily encountered in historical texts or discussions of the evolution of biological classification.
- Capitalization: As a formal taxonomic group name, it is often capitalized ("Ratitae").
Examples
- In a historical context:
- Discussing taxonomy:
Advanced Usage
- Taxonomic Context: The term is used to discuss the history of science and how our understanding of bird relationships has changed. Modern phylogenetics (the study of evolutionary relationships) often groups these birds differently based on genetic data.
Variants and Related Words
- Ratite (noun/adjective): The modern term for a flightless bird with a flat breastbone, or describing such birds.
- Neognathae (noun): The taxonomic group that includes most flying birds, historically contrasted with Ratitae.
- Palaeognathae (noun): The modern clade (a group with a common ancestor) that includes ratites and the flying tinamous, which has largely replaced the old "Ratitae" grouping.
Synonyms
- Historical synonyms: In very old classifications, terms like "Cursores" were sometimes used for similar groupings of running birds.
- Modern equivalent group: Palaeognathae (though this is a broader, more accurate clade that also includes flying relatives).
Related Phrases/Idioms
(Not commonly used in idioms or phrasal verbs, as it is a specialized scientific term.)
Noun
-
used in former classifications to include all ratite bird orders
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