Quote Originally Posted by branson View Post
I believe the numbers discussed are for extant species, so there is something to be said for the diversification observed in mammals and the other groups. To me, it really highlights how impressive and adaptive some groups can be, and also the plasticity in the DNA of these groups.

Groups that haven't diversified much are also pretty impressive. The design of crocodillians hasn't really changed in forever; it flat out works for them and they've been able to persist.
you hit the nail on the head here. they aren't saying that repitles are actual losers! they are saying that reptiles didn't have "species explosions" like other groups. other groups split up and made many, many species. coral reef fish are an excellent example!

you guys need to quit reading into things the worng way! they are simply saying that, evolutionarily speaking, reptiles didn't do all that well. they maintained but didn't split up like the other groups. they are talking in the now! not the past! don't forget that the world was once ruled by reptiles! that part was left out of the study as they are talking about animals today!!