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Ornithodira

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Template:Taxobox begin Template:Taxobox begin placement Template:Taxobox regnum entry Template:Taxobox phylum entry Template:Taxobox norank entry Template:Taxobox superclassis entry Template:Taxobox classis entry Template:Taxobox subclassis entry Template:Taxobox end placement Template:Taxobox section subdivision Dinosauromorpha
   "Lagosuchians"
   Dinosauria
Pterosauromorpha
   Pterosauria
   Scleromochlus
   Sharovipteryx
Template:Taxobox end

Ornithodira is a division of the Archosauromorpha (and perhaps Archosauria) clade. Members of this clade were characterized by an upright gait and an S-curved neck, hence the name "Ornithodira" ("bird neck"). It contains two superorders, Dinosauromorpha and Pterosauromorpha.

Dinosauromorpha contains the lagosuchians, and their famous descendants, the dinosaurs, which are believed to be the ancestors of modern birds.

Pterosauromorpha contains Pterosauria, which are the famous flying reptiles, and perhaps the first vertebrates capable of true flight. It should be noted that most researchers think pterosaurians had neither an S-curved neck, nor an upright gait. However, the Ornithodira clade is still valid because it is defined as the last common ancestor of the dinosaurs and the pterosaurs, and all its descendants. Exactly which species are included in this definition is still not very clear.

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