Question

Based on the cladogram, which of the following statements is true?

• A. Birds are the direct descendants of the Tyrannosaurid group.
• B. Modern birds are most closely related to Ornithischians.
• C. Oviraptors have more in common with Ornithichians than with modern birds.
• D. The closest relative of modern birds is Archaeopteryx.

Answer 1

The correct option is D The closest relative of modern birds is Archaeopteryx.

Archaeopteryx and the modern birds are at the tips branched out from the same node, that is they belong to the same clade and so are more closely related to each other

So, the correct answer is 'The closest relative of modern birds is Archaeopteryx'