 While the authors claim it is beyond the paper's scope, the study describing "Protodontopteryx" suggests that the proposed pro-galloansere traits might actually be plesiomorphic in relation to Aves.It also notes "striking" similarities between pelagornithids and "Ichthyornis" in terms of jaw anatomy, but still classifies them as neognaths due to the well-developed hypotarsal crests, a supratendineal bridge on the distal tibiotarsus and the caudally closed ilioischiadic foramen.The actual phylogenetic tree depicts them in a polytomy with both Galloanserae and Neoaves.