Galloanseres

Galloanseres is a clade of birds that includes the order Galliformes and the order Anseriformes. Galliformes, commonly known as landfowl, includes chickens, turkeys, quails, and pheasants. Anseriformes, commonly known as waterfowl, includes ducks, geese, and swans. This grouping is based on molecular and morphological evidence.

The evolutionary relationship between these two orders has been a subject of debate, but recent genetic studies have strongly supported their close association. Galloanseres represents a significant branch within the avian evolutionary tree, diverging relatively early in the diversification of Neoaves, the largest clade of birds.

Key features uniting Galloanseres include certain skeletal characteristics and genetic markers. The scientific name itself reflects this union, combining "Gallo" from Galliformes and "anser" from Anseriformes. Despite their distinct appearances and habitats, their shared ancestry suggests a common ancestor that lived millions of years ago. Understanding Galloanseres helps ornithologists and evolutionary biologists to reconstruct the history of bird evolution and better understand the diversity of avian life on Earth.