A molecular phylogeny of reptiles

The classical phylogeny of Living reptiles pairs crocodilians with birds, t uataras with squamates, and places turtles at the base of the tree. New evi dence from two nuclear genes, and analyses of mitochondrial DNA and 22 addi tional nuclear genes, join crocodilians with turtles and place squamates at the base of the tree. Morphological and paleontological evidence for this molecular phylogeny is unclear. Molecular time estimates support a Triassic origin for the major groups of Living reptiles.