Mirandornithes

{{short description|Taxon of birds}} {{excessive citations|date=March 2026}} {{Automatic taxobox |fossil_range = Early Miocene-Recent, {{fossil range|23|0|earliest=45|ref=<ref>Švec, P. 1982. Two new species of diving birds from the lower Miocene of Czechoslovakia. Časopis pro mineralogii a geologii, 27, 243–260.</ref>}}

<small>Possible an early origin based on molecular clock<ref name=Kuhletal2020>{{cite journal | first1 = H. | last1 = Kuhl. | first2 = C. | last2 = Frankl-Vilches | first3 = A. | last3 = Bakker | first4 = G. | last4 = Mayr | first5 = G. | last5 = Nikolaus | first6 = S. T. | last6 = Boerno | first7 = S. | last7 = Klages | first8 = B. | last8 = Timmermann | first9 = M. | last9 = Gahr | year = 2020 | title = An unbiased molecular approach using 3'UTRs resolves the avian family-level tree of life. | journal = Molecular Biology and Evolution | volume = 38 | pages = 108–127 | doi = 10.1093/molbev/msaa191 | pmc=7783168 | doi-access = free | pmid = 32781465 }}</ref></small> |image = Mirandornithes.jpg |image_caption = Greater flamingo (''Phoenicopterus roseus'') and great crested grebe (''Podiceps cristatus'') |taxon = Mirandornithes |authority = Sangster, 2005 |subdivision_ranks = Subclades |subdivision = *{{extinct}}''Juncitarsus'' *{{extinct}}''Kashinia'' * Podicipediformes * Phoenicopteriformes | synonyms_ref=<ref name=Sangsteretal2022>{{Cite journal | last1=Sangster | first1=G. | last2=Braun | first2=E.L. | last3=Johansson | first3=U.S. | last4=Kimball | first4=R.T. | last5=Mayr | first5=G. | last6=Suh | first6=A. | date=2022 | title=Phylogenetic definitions for 25 higher-level clade names of birds | journal=Avian Research | volume=13 | article-number=100027 | doi=10.1016/j.avrs.2022.100027 | doi-access=free | bibcode=2022AvRes..1300027S }}</ref> | synonyms = * Phoenicopteriformes <small>Fürbringer, 1888 ''sensu'' Dickinson & Remsen, 2013</small> * '''Phoenicopterimorphae''' <small>Cracraft, 2013</small> }}

'''Mirandornithes'''<ref name="Sangster, G. 2005">{{cite journal | last1 = Sangster | first1 = G. | date = July 2005 | title = A name for the flamingo-grebe clade | journal = Ibis | volume = 147 | issue =3 | pages = 612–615 | doi=10.1111/j.1474-919x.2005.00432.x}}</ref> ({{IPAc-en|m|ᵻ|ˌ|r|æ|n|d|ɔːr|ˈ|n|ɪ|θ|iː|z}}) is a clade that consists of flamingos and grebes. Many scholars use the term '''Phoenicopterimorphae''' for the superorder containing flamingoes and grebes.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Justifications of names for higher taxa |author=Joel Cracraft|journal=Science |date=12 December 2014 |volume=346 |issue=6215 |pages=1320–1331 |doi=10.1126/science.1253451 |pmid=25504713 |pmc=4405904 |bibcode=2014Sci...346.1320J |hdl=10072/67425 |author-link=Joel Cracraft|display-authors=etal}}</ref><ref name=Jarvisetal>{{cite journal | last1=Jarvis | first1=E.D.| date=12 December 2014 | title=Whole-genome analyses resolve early branches in the tree of life of modern birds | journal=Science | volume=346 | issue=6215 | pages=1320–1331 | doi=10.1126/science.1253451 |display-authors=etal | pmid=25504713 | pmc=4405904| bibcode=2014Sci...346.1320J}}</ref>

Determining the relationships between the two groups has been problematic. Flamingos had been placed with numerous branches within Neognathae, such as ducks and storks. The grebes had been placed with the loons. However, more recent genomic studies have confirmed these two branches as sister groups.<ref name=Jarvisetal/><ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Tuinen | first1 = Van | last2 = Butvill | first2 = M. | last3 = Kirsch | first3 = D.B. | last4 = Hedges | first4 = S.B. | date = 7 July 2001 | title = Convergence and divergence in the evolution of aquatic birds | journal = Proc. R. Soc. B | volume = 268 | issue = 1474| pages = 1345–1350 | doi = 10.1098/rspb.2001.1679 | pmid = 11429133 | pmc = 1088747 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Chubb | first1 = A.L. | date = January 2004 | title = New nuclear evidence for the oldest divergence among neognath birds: The phylogenetic utility of ZENK (i) | journal = Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution | volume = 30 | issue = 1| pages = 140–151 | doi = 10.1016/S1055-7903(03)00159-3 | pmid=15022765| bibcode = 2004MolPE..30..140C }}</ref><ref name=mayr2004/><ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Fain | first1 = M.G. Houde | date = November 2004 | title = Parallel radiations in the primary clades of birds | journal = Evolution | volume = 58 | issue = 11| pages = 2558–2573 | doi = 10.1554/04-235 | pmid=15612298| s2cid = 1296408 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Ericson | first1 = J.I. | last2 = Anderson | first2 = P.G.P. | last3 = Britton | first3 = C.L. | last4 = Elzanowski | first4 = T. | last5 = Johansson | first5 = A. | last6 = Kllersj | first6 = U.S. | last7 = Ohlson | first7 = M. | last8 = Parsons | first8 = T.J. | date = 22 December 2006 | title = Diversification of Neoaves: integration of molecular sequence data and fossils | journal = Biology Letters | volume = 2 | issue = 4| pages = 543–547 | doi = 10.1098/rsbl.2006.0523 | pmid = 17148284 | pmc=1834003}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Hackett | first1 = S.J. | display-authors = etal | date = 27 June 2008 | title = A phylogenomic study of birds reveals their evolutionary history | journal = Science | volume = 320 | issue = 5884| pages = 1763–1768 | doi = 10.1126/science.1157704 | pmid = 18583609 | bibcode = 2008Sci...320.1763H | s2cid = 6472805 }}</ref>

Both primitive phoenicopteriformes and their closest relatives, the grebes, were highly aquatic.<ref name="mayr2014">Mayr, G. (2014) The Eocene ''Juncitarsus'' – its phylogenetic position and significance for the evolution and higher-level affinities of flamingos and grebes. ''Comptes Rendus Palevol''. 13(1):9-18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crpv.2013.07.005</ref> This indicates that the entire mirandornithe group evolved from aquatic, probably swimming ancestors.<ref name=mayr2004>{{cite journal | last1 = Mayr | first1 = G. | date = February 2004 | title = Morphological evidence for sister group relationship between flamingos (Aves: Phoenicopteridae) and grebes (Podicipedidae) | journal = Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society | volume = 140 | issue = 2| pages = 157–169 | doi = 10.1111/j.1096-3642.2003.00094.x | doi-access = free }}</ref>

== Etymology == The term was coined by Sangster in 2005 to describe the new clade discovered through molecular analyses. It is inspired by the Latin {{Lang|la|miranda}}, meaning "wonderful", and the Greek ὄρνις (''órnis''), meaning bird.<ref name="Sangster, G. 2005" />

==Synapomorphies== According to Mayr (2004) and Sangster (2005), there are at least twelve distinct morphological synapomorphies that are unique to this clade:<ref name="Sangster, G. 2005"/> # "At least the fourth to seventh cervical vertebrae strongly elongate, with processus spinosus forming a marked ridge. # Humerus with a marked oval depression at the insertion site of the musculus scapulohumeralis cranialis. # At least 23 presacral vertebrae. # At least four thoracic vertebrae fused to a notarium. # Distal end of ulna with marked oval depression radialis. # Phalanx proximalis digiti majoris is very elongate and narrow craniocaudally. # Distal rim of condylus medialis of tibiotarsus distinctly notched. # Pars acetabularis of musculus iliotibialis lateralis absent. # Pars caudalis of musculus caudofemoralis absent. # Wing with 12 primaries # Left arteria carotis reduced or absent. # Eggs covered with a chalky layer of amorphous calcium phosphate."

==Systematics== Some authors have used alternative names for Mirandornithes, such as '''Phoenicopterimorphae''' or include Podicipedidae as a family within Phoenicopteriformes. Other authors do not widely use either option, and Mirandornithes is preferred.<ref name=Sangsteretal2022/> The following phylogenetic tree depicts Mirandornithes as recovered by Torres and colleagues in 2015.<ref name=torres>{{cite journal|last1=Torres|first1=C. R.|last2=De Pietri|first2=V. L.|last3=Louchart|first3=A.|last4=Van Tuinen|first4=M.|year=2015|title=New cranial material of the earliest filter feeding flamingo ''Harrisonavis croizeti'' (Aves, Phoenicopteridae) informs the evolution of the highly specialized filter feeding apparatus|url=https://www.gfbs-home.de/fileadmin/user_upload/ode2mods/ode/ode15/ode15_0609/article.pdf|journal=Organisms Diversity & Evolution|volume=15|issue=3|pages=609–618|doi=10.1007/s13127-015-0209-7|s2cid=18198929}}</ref>

{{clade| style=font-size:85%; line-height:85%; |label1='''Mirandornithes''' |1={{Clade |1=†''Juncitarsus'' |2={{clade |1=Podicipediformes |label2=Phoenicopteriformes |2={{clade |1=†Palaelodidae |2=Phoenicopteridae}} }} }} }}

While various phylogenetic studies support the evidence for the sister grouping of flamingos and grebes, the placement of Mirandornithes has been less precise. Mayr (2004) conducted a morphological-based analysis on extant families. In his paper, Mayr found the then unnamed Mirandornithes to be part of a clade that included also loons and penguins, the former family being the sister lineage.<ref name=mayr2004/> Since 2004, however, this arrangement has not been supported, as with the advent of nuclear and mitochondrial genetic research, the placement of Mirandornithes has been placed all over the neoavian tree of life. The most common occurrences place the clade as either the basalmost branch of Neoaves,<ref name=Braun&Kimball2021>{{cite journal |last1=Braun |first1=Edward L. |last2=Kimball |first2=Rebecca T. |year=2021 |title=Data types and the phylogeny of Neoaves. |journal=Birds |volume=2 |issue=1 |pages=1–22 |doi=10.3390/birds2010001 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name=Kuhletal2021>{{cite journal | first1 = H. | last1 = Kuhl. | first2 = C. | last2 = Frankl-Vilches | first3 = A. | last3 = Bakker | first4 = G. | last4 = Mayr | first5 = G. | last5 = Nikolaus | first6 = S. T. | last6 = Boerno | first7 = S. | last7 = Klages | first8 = B. | last8 = Timmermann | first9 = M. | last9 = Gahr | year = 2021 | title = An unbiased molecular approach using 3'UTRs resolves the avian family-level tree of life. | journal = Molecular Biology and Evolution | volume = 38 | pages = 108–127 | doi = 10.1093/molbev/msaa191 | pmid = 32781465 | pmc = 7783168 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref name=Stiller-2024>{{cite journal |last1=Stiller |first1=J. |last2=Feng |first2=S. |last3=Chowdhury |first3=A-A. |display-authors=etal |title=Complexity of avian evolution revealed by family-level genomes |journal=Nature |year=2024 |volume=629 |issue=8013 |pages=851–860 |doi=10.1038/s41586-024-07323-1|doi-access=free |pmid=38560995 |pmc=11111414 |bibcode=2024Natur.629..851S }}</ref> or as the sister taxon to Columbimorphae in a clade known as Columbea.<ref name=Jarvisetal/><ref name="ReddyKimball2017">{{cite journal|last1=Reddy|first1=Sushma|last2=Kimball|first2=Rebecca T.|last3=Pandey|first3=Akanksha|last4=Hosner|first4=Peter A.|last5=Braun|first5=Michael J.|last6=Hackett|first6=Shannon J.|last7=Han|first7=Kin-Lan|last8=Harshman|first8=John|last9=Huddleston|first9=Christopher J.|last10=Kingston|first10=Sarah|last11=Marks|first11=Ben D.|last12=Miglia|first12=Kathleen J.|last13=Moore|first13=William S.|last14=Sheldon|first14=Frederick H.|last15=Witt|first15=Christopher C.|last16=Yuri|first16=Tamaki|last17=Braun|first17=Edward L.|title=Why Do Phylogenomic Data Sets Yield Conflicting Trees? Data Type Influences the Avian Tree of Life more than Taxon Sampling|journal=Systematic Biology|volume=66|issue=5|year=2017|pages=857–879|issn=1063-5157|doi=10.1093/sysbio/syx041|pmid=28369655|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name="HoudeBraun2019">{{cite journal|last1=Houde|first1=Peter|last2=Braun|first2=Edward L.|last3=Narula|first3=Nitish|last4=Minjares|first4=Uriel|last5=Mirarab|first5=Siavash|title=Phylogenetic Signal of Indels and the Neoavian Radiation|journal=Diversity|volume=11|issue=7|year=2019|page=108|issn=1424-2818|doi=10.3390/d11070108|doi-access=free}}</ref> A third option, one that has been the only constant correspondence between morphological and molecular studies of the placement of the clade, is a possible sister relationship to Charadriiformes.<ref name="mayr2014"/><ref name=Prum2015>{{cite journal | last1 = Prum | first1 = R.O. | display-authors = etal | year = 2015 | title = A comprehensive phylogeny of birds (Aves) using targeted next-generation DNA sequencing | url = http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v526/n7574/full/nature15697.html | journal = Nature | volume = 526 | issue = 7574 | pages = 569–573 | doi = 10.1038/nature15697 | pmid = 26444237 | bibcode = 2015Natur.526..569P | s2cid = 205246158 | url-access = subscription }}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}} {{Mirandornithes|M.}} {{Taxonbar|from=Q5891686}}

Category:Neognathae