Tiktaalik Paleoart
Scientific name: Tiktaalik roseae
Class: Sarcopterygii
Period: Upper Devonian
Size: 1.2 to 2.75 m in length
Location: Canada
Description
Our reconstruction measures 1.25 m, exactly the size that the fossil belonging to the specimen FMNH PF15316 would have been in life.
About this genus: Tiktaalik is a famous transitional fossil that marks the transition to land by vertebrates. It is a sarcopterygian (fleshy fins), like the modern coelacanth but from the Devonian period. Its appendicular skeleton is considered to be the “starting point” for the limbs of terrestrial vertebrates.
Excellently preserved remains of Tiktaalik were found in 2004 on Ellesmere Island in Canada. Its mix of both fish and tetrapod features include: Fish gills. Fish scales. Joints and limb bones that share similarities partly with fish, partly with tetrapods, including a functional wrist joint. Tetrapod ribs and movable neck. Lungs. A modified auricular region.
Bibliographies consulted: Edward B. Daeschler, Neil H. Shubin and Farish A. Jenkins, Jr (6 de abril de 2006). «A Devonian tetrapod-like fish and the evolution of the tetrapod body plan» Spotts, Peter (6 de abril de 2006). Fossil fills gap in move from sea to land Neil H. Shubin, Edward B. Daeschler and Farish A. Jenkins, Jr (6 de abril de 2006). «The pectoral fin of Tiktaalik roseae and the origin of the tetrapod limb» Jason P. Downs, Edward B. Daeschler, Farish A. Jenkins Neil H. Shubin (16 de octubre de 2008). «The cranial endoskeleton of Tiktaalik roseae». Nature 455
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