Vertebrate Paleontology - Paleontological Vertebrate Classification

Paleontological Vertebrate Classification

The 'traditional' vertebrate classification scheme employ evolutionary taxonomy where several of the taxa listed are paraphyletic, i.e. have given rise to another taxa that have been given the same rank. For instance, birds are generally considered to be the descendants of Reptiles (Saurischian dinosaurs to be precise), but in this system both are listed as separate classes. Under phylogenetic nomenclature, such an arrangement is unacceptable, though it offers excellent overview.

This classical scheme is still used in works where systematic overview is essential, e.g. Benton (1998), Hildebrand and Goslow (2001) and Knobill and Neill (2006). While mostly seen in general works, it is also still used in some specialist works like Fortuny & al. (2011).

(For an alternative system see List of dinosaur classifications.)

Kingdom Animalia

• Phylum Chordata (vertebrates)
  • Class Agnatha (jawless fish)
    • Subclass Cyclostomata (hagfish and lampreys)
    • Subclass Ostracodermi (armoured jawless fish) †
  • Class Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish)
    • Subclass Elasmobranchii (sharks and rayes)
    • Subclass Holocephali (chimaeras and extinct relatives)
  • Class Placodermi (armoured fish) †
  • Class Acanthodii ("spiny sharks", sometimes classified under bony fishes) †
  • Class Osteichthyes (bony fish)
    • Subclass Actinopterygii
    • Subclass Sarcopterygii
  • Class Amphibia
    • Subclass Labyrinthodontia †
    • Subclass Lepospondyli †
    • Subclass Lissamphibia
  • Class Reptilia
    • Subclass Anapsida
      • Order Cotylosauria †
      • Order Chelonia
    • Subclass Synapsida
      • Order Pelycosauria †
      • Order Therapsida †
    • Subclass Euryapsida
      • Order Sauropterygia †
      • Order Ichthyosauria †
    • Subclass Diapsida (lizards & snakes too)
      • Order Crocodilia (crocodiles, alligators etc.)
      • Order Thecodonts †
      • Order Pterosauria †
      • Order Saurischia (dinosaurs) †
      • Order Ornithischia (dinosaurs) †
  • Class Aves
    • Subclass Archaeornithes (primitive dinosaur-like birds like Archaeopteryx) †
    • Subclass Neornithes (modern birds and some advanced Cretaceous forms)
      • Superorder Odontognathae (Cretaceous toothed birds) †
      • Superorder Palaeognathae (ratites)
      • Superorder Neognathae (All other extant birds)
  • Class Mammalia
    • Subclass Prototheria
      • Order Monotremata (platypus and the echidnas)
    • Subclass Theria
      • Infraclass Metatheria
        • Order Marsupialia (kangaroos, dunnarts, opossums, wombats etc.)
      • Infraclass Eutheria (placentals)
        • Order Insectivora
        • Order Chiroptera (bats)
        • Order Creodonta
        • Order Carnivora (dogs/cats)
        • Order Perissodactyla (horses)
        • Order Artiodactyla (cattle and other ungulates)
        • Order Proboscidea (elephants)
        • Order Edentata
        • Order Cetacea (whales and dolphins)
        • Order Rodentia (mice, rats etc.)
        • Order Lagomorpha (rabbits)
        • Order Primates (monkeys, apes and primates)