> A problem of the taxonomy of “reptiles” vs “birds” is that Crocodilians are genetically more related to any bird than they are to any other reptile, but they are still grouped with “reptiles” rather than “birds", for instance.
All models are tentative. Note that modern paleontological papers now refer to dinosaurs as “non-avian dinosaurs”. Give it time and the commonly recognized groupings of today will change.
There is a difference between the model being tentative, and objects within that model being able to be moved from one classification to the other after mere debate and politics.
Such things do not happen in many models, as the classifications are based upon universal rules not open for interpretation or subjective assessment.
> Note that modern paleontological papers now refer to dinosaurs as “non-avian dinosaurs”. Give it time and the commonly recognized groupings of today will change.
Quite, but they are not really referring to reptiles as non-crocodillian reptiles very often.
All models are tentative. Note that modern paleontological papers now refer to dinosaurs as “non-avian dinosaurs”. Give it time and the commonly recognized groupings of today will change.