A Devonian tetrapod-like fish and the evolution of the tetrapod body plan

Daeschler, Edward B.; Shubin, Neil H.; Jenkins, Farish A.

doi:10.1038/nature04639

Cited by 443Paleontology and Evolutionary BiologyEvolution and Paleontology StudiesFish Biology and Ecology Studies

A Devonian tetrapod-like fish and the evolution of the tetrapod body plan

Daeschler, Edward B., Shubin, Neil H., Jenkins, Farish A.·2006·Nature

DOI 10.1038/nature04639

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Abstract

The relationship of limbed vertebrates (tetrapods) to lobe-finned fish (sarcopterygians) is well established, but the origin of major tetrapod features has remained obscure for lack of fossils that document the sequence of evolutionary changes. Here we report the discovery of a well-preserved species of fossil sarcopterygian fish from the Late Devonian of Arctic Canada that represents an intermediate between fish with fins and tetrapods with limbs, and provides unique insights into how and in what order important tetrapod characters arose. Although the body scales, fin rays, lower jaw and palate are comparable to those in more primitive sarcopterygians, the new species also has a shortened skull roof, a modified ear region, a mobile neck, a functional wrist joint, and other features that presage tetrapod conditions. The morphological features and geological setting of this new animal are suggestive of life in shallow-water, marginal and subaerial habitats.

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The first land invasion of fish ancestors occurred during the late Devonian period, approximately 370 million years ago.
“The first land invasion of our fish ancestors is considered to have occurred during the late Devonian period ~370 million years ago (Mya) (Daeschler et al., 2006).”
From Ancestral developmental potentials in early bony fish contributed to vertebrate water-to-land transition (2021) · cites this paper as Daeschler et al., 2006
Geological and anatomical evidence is strongly indicative that Tiktaalik was an animal interacting with the substrate in an aquatic context.
“Geological and anatomical evidence is strongly indicative that Tiktaalik was an animal interacting with the substrate in an aquatic context (12, 42, 43).”
From Fin ray patterns at the fin-to-limb transition (2020) · cites this paper as [42]

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Authors: Daeschler, E. B., Shubin, N. H., & Jenkins, F. A.
Affiliations: University of Chicago (US)
Harvard University (US)
Corresponding author: Daeschler, Edward B.
Shubin, Neil H.
ORCID: Shubin, Neil H.
Venue: Nature
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 2006-04
Volume: 440
Issue: 7085
Pages: 757-763
ISSN: 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
1476-4687
DOI: 10.1038/nature04639
OpenAlex: W2094370487
Cited by: 442
References: 37
Citations by year: 2026: 11 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 25 · 2018: 33 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 21 · 2014: 26 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 21
FWCI: 21.96
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations: Nature (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
Funders: National Science Foundation
National Geographic Society
Harvard University
University of Chicago
Government of Nunavut
Topics: Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology
Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Evolution and Paleontology Studies
Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Aquatic Science › Fish Biology and Ecology Studies
Keywords: sarcopterygians, lobe-finned fishes, tetrapod origin, transitional fossils, wrist, skull roof, ear region, Late Devonian, Canadian Arctic
MeSH terms: Animals, Environment, Biological Evolution, Extremities, Fishes, Fossils, Morphogenesis, Phylogeny, Skull, Water, History, Ancient

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A Devonian tetrapod-like fish and the evolution of the tetrapod body plan

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