Gruimorphae[4] is a clade of birds that contains the orders Charadriiformes (plovers, gulls, and allies) and Gruiformes (cranes and rails) identified by molecular analysis.[5][3] This grouping has had historical support, as various charadriiform families such as the families Pedionomidae and Turnicidae were classified as gruiforms.[6][7][8] It may also have support from the fossil record since the discovery of Nahmavis from the Early Eocene of North America. [9]
| Gruimorphae | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Piping plover (Charadrius melodus) | |
 | |
| Water rail (Rallus aquaticus) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Clade: | Ornithurae |
| Class: | Aves |
| Infraclass: | Neognathae |
| Clade: | Neoaves |
| Clade: | Gruimorphae Bonaparte, 1854 |
| Orders | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
The relationship between these birds is due to similar anatomical and behavioral characteristics. A morphological study went further to suggest that the gruiforms might be paraphyletic in respect to the shorebirds, with the rails being closely related to the buttonquails.[10][11]
References
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