Evolution of Tetrapod Vertebrates inferred from fossil record Labyrinthodonts – first tetrapod amphibians Rhipidistians – crossopterygian lobe-finned fish (Sarcopterygii) Placoderms – first jawed fishes Ostracoderms – jawless fishes
Cladogram of key taxa in evolution of tetrapods
Eusthenopteron foordi (Sarcopterygii: Crossopterygii) Devonian Quebec
Panderichthys rhombolepis (Sarcopterygi: Crossopterygii) Devonian Latvia
Tiktaalik rosseae Sarcopterygian Fish Devonian 375 MY
Labyrinthodont amphibians - the earliest tetrapods Carboniferous Acanthostega Ichthyostega
Acanthostega Labyrinthodont Amphibian Acanthostega Labyrinthodont Amphibian
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Eusthenopteron and Acanthostega classical reconstruction
Behavior of fossil species can be difficult to interpret Frogfishes (Antennarius) have limb-like fins but they never leave the water …
Periophthalmus …but mudskippers do, and they don’t even have lungs
Sarcopterygians, do have lungs African lungfishes cuaght in small water-hole Sarcopterygians do have lungs African lungfishes caught in small water-hole
Ichthyostega – a temnospondyl labyrinthodont
Ichthyostega – a temnospondyl labyrinthodont ...had 7 toes!
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Sclerocephalus - a temnospondyl labyrinthodont
Eryops – a temnospondyl labyrinthodont
fin-foot intermediates
CA Boisvert et al. Nature (2008) doi:10.1038/nature07339 Eusthenopteron Panderichthys Tiktaalik Acanthostega CA Boisvert et al. Nature (2008) doi:10.1038/nature07339
Evolution of Reptiles from Amphibians inferred from fossil record Anthracosaur Labyrinthodonts –tetrapod amphibians Synapsids – mammal-like reptiles Diapsids – Lepidosaurs (lizards, snakes) and Archosaurs (“ruling reptiles” dinosaurs, crocodiles, birds) Cotylosaurs (Anapsids ) – stem reptiles