Answer to Question #256586 in Biology for Enhle

Question

What distinctive geographical characteristic exist between order Paleognathae and the Neognathae

Answer 1

Palaeognathe:

• It comprises a small number of species and includes ratites and tinamous.
• They have a distinctive arrangement of bones in their palates. This type of arrangement is not found in other birds
• This superorder is subdivided into five orders i.e Tinamiformes, Rheiformes, Struthioniformes, Casuariiformes, and Dinornithiformes.
• Their distribution is discontinuous except the bird ostrich, they are confined to the Southern continent and Island.
• They usually adapt to terrestrial habitat.
• The size of the bird is usually large.
• They have a function less tell and feathers are devoid of hooks and hooklets. The barbs are free.

Neognathae:

• It includes all the other modern birds.
• The birds in this superorder have different management of bones in the palate which distinguished them from the paleognathous birds
• This superorder is divided into two Infra classes i.e the Galloanserae and the Neoaves.
• Their distribution is continental.
• They adapt in all the spheres.
• Their size is a variable but usually smaller in size.
• Their tails are functional, help in steering during flight. In the feathers, barbs are united by hooks and hooklets