Which List Below Includes the Four Monophyletic Nonavian Reptilian Groups

Question

Which list below includes the four monophyletic nonavian reptilian groups?
A)Dinosaurs,modern reptiles,birds,and mammals
B)Turtles,crocodilians,lizards,and snakes
C)Dinosaurs,turtles,squamates,and crocodilians
D)Turtles,crocodilians,squamates,and tuataras
E)Dinosaurs,tuataras,crocodilians,and all other modern reptiles

Accepted Answer

Turtles, crocodilians, squamates (lizards and snakes), and tuataras are all monophyletic nonavian reptilian groups. Option A includes mammals and birds, which are not reptiles. Option B includes only extant reptiles, not all nonavian reptiles. Option C also includes dinosaurs, which are not extant, and thus not part of the four extant monophyletic nonavian reptilian groups. Option E includes tuataras, crocodilians, and all modern reptiles, but not squamates or turtles.