鳄鱼 / Crocodilian

Birds are my close living relatives—your pond’s reptile has a family connection to the duck next door!
鸟类是我很近的现生亲戚——池塘里的鳄鱼，和隔壁鸭子竟然有家族联系！

Sources
Genome analysis and signature discovery for diving and sensory properties of the endangered Chinese alligator
https://www.nature.com/articles/cr2013104
Three crocodilian genomes reveal ancestral patterns of evolution among archosaurs.
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1254449
Specialized stem cell niche enables repetitive renewal of alligator teeth.
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1213202110
Species reference
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocodylia

Research context
Crocodilians are living archosaurs closely related to birds. Their development and anatomy help reconstruct the common archosaur heritage and distinguish it from mammalian evolution.