Which of the following reptile groups gave rise to modern birds?

a. Lepidosaurs

b. Pterosaurs

c. Anapsids

d. Archosaurs

Birds are the most rich of the land vertebrate classes with over 10,000 identified species. Researches have shown that birds evolved from maniraptoran theropod dinosaurs about 150 million years ago.

The clade Dinosauria include birds and Dinosauria belonged to Archosaur group. Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

a. Lepidosaurs

The lepidosaurs include modern lizards, snakes, and tuataras. Hence, option (a) is the incorrect answer.

b. Pterosaurs

The Pterosaurs were once considered ancestors of birds, and there are certain similarities such as pneumatic bones, but the pterosaurs had a wing membrane like bats and no feathers. Birds evolved from maniraptoran theropod dinosaurs. Hence, option (b) is the incorrect answer.

c. Anapsids

Anapsids include extinct organisms and traditionally included turtles. Hence, option (c) is the incorrect answer.