8. p. 179Sarcopterygians and the Origin of Tetrapods
- F. Harvey Pough, F. Harvey PoughProfessor Emeritus, Rochester Institute of Technology
- William E. Bemis, William E. BemisProfessor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Faculty Curator of Ichthyology, Cornell University
- Betty McguireBetty McguireSenior Lecturer, Cornell University
- , and Christine M. JanisChristine M. JanisProfessor Emerita of Biology, Brown University, USA, Honorary Professor of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, UK
Abstract
This chapter discusses the lineages of sarcopterygians in relation to the origin of tetrapods. The vast majority of extant sarcopterygians are tetrapods, most of which are terrestrial. The chapter looks into fossil sarcopterygians which document transitions in organ systems associated with the origin of tetrapods and the move to land. This is where lungs and digits may have allowed aquatic tetrapodomorphs to make occasional forays onto land. Thus, fossil tetrapod trackways raise questions about the timing and location of the origin of tetrapods. The chapter also considers some possible advantages of terrestrial activity and the original environment in which the fish-tetrapod transition might have occurred.
