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Birds as a Clade Nested within Reptilia

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State

Current phylogenetic evidence, per Bio 1805, places birds as a clade nested within Reptilia, descended from theropod dinosaurs, not a sister group.

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Skeletal and feather evidence links birds to theropod dinosaurs, supporting placement inside the reptile clade, not beside it.

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This placement follows cladistic practice, per Bio 1805 — excluding birds would make Reptilia paraphyletic, since they share that ancestor.