New Taxonomic Changes for Reptiles

[John_White]

CNAH: Herpetological Taxonomy

[VexalUntil]

So why did they change the name of the crocodilian class to Eusuchia?

[John_White]

The real short answer:
It's my understanding the change in crocodilians was made in order to reflect the close relationship of crocodilians to birds.

The longer answer from CNAH:
A MODERN TAXONOMY OF PHYLUM CHORDATA

Over the past two decades, evidence has accumulated that recognition of the Class Reptilia
is not consistent with evolutionary history. However, due to historical inertia, the
herpetological community has been reluctant to incorporate nomenclatural changes
consistent with contemporary phylogenetic discoveries.

Class Reptilia has been traditionally composed of Order Chelonia or Testudinata (the
turtles), Order Crocodylia (the crocodilians), Order Squamata (the lizards, snakes, and
amphisbaenids), and Order Rhynchocephalia (the Tuataras). The discovery that birds (Class
Aves) are the closest modern relative to the crocodilians, or the sister clade to crocodilians
and turtles, renders the Class Reptilia as an unnatural grouping. In order to reconcile
taxonomy with evolutionary history, The Center for North American Herpetology has
adopted the updated hypothesis shown on its web site for all Chordates (Phylum Chordata)
until further data suggest otherwise. This hypothesis is fully supported by modern
evidence and citations for this evidence are given on the web site.

Most herpetologists are normally trying to write about the relationships of those taxa still
alive on the earth today, not relive the details and complexities of their phylogeny, no
matter how fascinating they might be. The evolutionary history of taxa is compellingly
interesting to all of us, but it takes up too much space in writing research articles that are
not focused on evolutionary history. The taxonomy adopted by CNAH is a simple
shorthand method of explaining science to a broad audience (including non-systematic
biologists). We hope you agree.

Due to the arbitrary nature in which higher taxa may be organized and delineated, CNAH
has tried to reach a classification that is parsimonious (i.e., is the simplest sufficient
taxonomy or hypothesis to explain the diversity of chordate life on earth), that retains
maximum explanatory power, and that is most harmonious with respect to the traditional
hierarchy used during the last two centuries.

[VexalUntil]

I was just splitting hairs wondering why taxonomists had to change the crocodilian order's name from Order Crocodylia to Order Eusuchia? Do you know what Eusuchia means?

[John_White]

Originally Posted by VexalUntil

I was just splitting hairs wondering why taxonomists had to change the crocodilian order's name from Order Crocodylia to Order Eusuchia? Do you know what Eusuchia means?

Eu - is from Greek meaning "good" or "well"
such - is also Greek and means "crocodile"
ia - is probably Greek and most likely means "pertaining to" or something similar, but I'm not sure.

[louise]

okay this was very educational but a john white thread has to have pics

[VexalUntil]

Thanks John. I see where the confusion was, I didn't realize that Chelonia and what used to be Crocodylia were awared Class status from their old Order status. I didn't read close enough.

[KrokadilyanGuy3]

Not sure I understand but I'm going to stick with Eusuchia being a suborder.