The pelvic fin and girdle of Panderichthys and the origin of tetrapod locomotion

Boisvert, Catherine A.

doi:10.1038/nature04119

Cited by 97 publications

(109 citation statements)

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“…The creatures closest to the node containing the most basal limbed vertebrates-elpistostegalids, such as Panderichthys, Tiktaalik, and Elpistostege-are most enlightening in understanding the primitive conditions from which tetrapods arose. Although most work has focused on revealing homologies and function of the pectoral appendage of these forms (4-7), relatively little is known of the pelvic appendage beyond limited material of Panderichthys (8). Consequently, analyses of the pelvic fin have been given only sporadic attention over the past decades (4,(8)(9)(10)(11) largely because they are often poorly preserved or not preserved at all.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Although most work has focused on revealing homologies and function of the pectoral appendage of these forms (4-7), relatively little is known of the pelvic appendage beyond limited material of Panderichthys (8). Consequently, analyses of the pelvic fin have been given only sporadic attention over the past decades (4,(8)(9)(10)(11) largely because they are often poorly preserved or not preserved at all. In most cases, it is thought that this poor preservation of the pelvic appendage is due to its putative small size and fragility (10).…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Consequently, analyses of the pelvic fin have been given only sporadic attention over the past decades (4, 8-11) largely because they are often poorly preserved or not preserved at all. In most cases, it is thought that this poor preservation of the pelvic appendage is due to its putative small size and fragility (10).Pelves, and in some cases pelvic appendages, of taxa that span the fin-to-limb transition are known from Gooloogongia (Rhizodontida) (12), Eusthenopteron (Osteolepida) (10, 13), Panderichthys (Elpistostegalia) (7,8), and Acanthostega and Ichthyostega (Tetrapoda) (14-17). Comparisons of these forms reveal large differences between the pelvic appendages of finned tetrapodomorphs and tetrapods (Fig.…”

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Pelvic girdle and fin ofTiktaalik roseae

Shubin

Daeschler

Jenkins

2014

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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A major challenge in understanding the origin of terrestrial vertebrates has been knowledge of the pelvis and hind appendage of their closest fish relatives. The pelvic girdle and appendage of tetrapods is dramatically larger and more robust than that of fish and contains a number of structures that provide greater musculoskeletal support for posture and locomotion. The discovery of pelvic material of the finned elpistostegalian, Tiktaalik roseae, bridges some of these differences. Multiple isolated pelves have been recovered, each of which has been prepared in three dimensions. Likewise, a complete pelvis and partial pelvic fin have been recovered in association with the type specimen. The pelves of Tiktaalik are paired and have broad iliac processes, flat and elongate pubes, and acetabulae that form a deep socket rimmed by a robust lip of bone. The pelvis is greatly enlarged relative to other finned tetrapodomorphs. Despite the enlargement and robusticity of the pelvis of Tiktaalik, it retains primitive features such as the lack of both an attachment for the sacral rib and an ischium. The pelvic fin of Tiktaalik (NUFV 108) is represented by fin rays and three endochondral elements: other elements are not preserved. The mosaic of primitive and derived features in Tiktaalik reveals that the enhancement of the pelvic appendage of tetrapods and, indeed, a trend toward hind limb-based propulsion have antecedents in the fins of their closest relatives.A t first glance, the origin of tetrapods (limbed vertebrates) from finned precursors seems an almost insurmountable transition between life in water and life on land. If the basis of comparison were living taxa alone, then the anatomical and behavioral differences among finned and limbed vertebrates could appear vast: for example, fin structure and function differ dramatically from those of limbs. Fossil evidence, in particular vertebrates from the middle and late part of the Devonian period (393-359 Mya), offers intermediate conditions that bridge this gap (1). The fossils that provide the most informative anatomical intermediates are from the tetrapodomorph lineage (also known as stem tetrapods) and have been recovered from a variety of nonmarine and marginal marine deposits from around the globe (2-4). The creatures closest to the node containing the most basal limbed vertebrates-elpistostegalids, such as Panderichthys, Tiktaalik, and Elpistostege-are most enlightening in understanding the primitive conditions from which tetrapods arose. Although most work has focused on revealing homologies and function of the pectoral appendage of these forms (4-7), relatively little is known of the pelvic appendage beyond limited material of Panderichthys (8). Consequently, analyses of the pelvic fin have been given only sporadic attention over the past decades (4, 8-11) largely because they are often poorly preserved or not preserved at all. In most cases, it is thought that this poor preservation of the pelvic appendage is due to its putative small size and fragility (10).Pelv...

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Pelvic girdle and fin ofTiktaalik roseae

Shubin

Daeschler

Jenkins

2014

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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“…Elpistostege, for example, is represented only by two partial dermal skull roofs and a segment of the axial skeleton from the early Frasnian Escuminac Formation in Quebec [1][2][3] . The best-known elpistostegalian, Panderichthys, consists of complete specimens of Middle to Late Devonian age (late Givetian and early Frasnian stages) mostly from the Lode quarry in Latvia [4][5][6][7][8][9][10] .…”

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

Daeschler¹,

Shubin

Jenkins

2006

Nature

379

297

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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.The evolution of tetrapods from sarcopterygian fish is one of the major transformations in the history of life and involved numerous structural and functional innovations, including new modes of locomotion, respiration and hearing. Fish and tetrapod fossils across this transition can reveal how these innovations were assembled. During the origin of tetrapods in the Late Devonian (385-359 million years ago), the proportions of the skull were remodelled, the series of bones connecting the head and shoulder was lost, and the region that was to become the middle ear was modified. At the same time, robust limbs with digits evolved, the shoulder girdle and pelvis were altered, the ribs expanded, and bony connections between vertebrae developed. Few of these features, however, are seen in the closest relatives of tetrapods-the elpistostegalian fishes-which are incompletely known. Elpistostege, for example, is represented only by two partial dermal skull roofs and a segment of the axial skeleton from the early Frasnian Escuminac Formation in Quebec 1-3 . The best-known elpistostegalian, Panderichthys, consists of complete specimens of Middle to Late Devonian age (late Givetian and early Frasnian stages) mostly from the Lode quarry in Latvia 4-10 . Panderichthys possesses relatively few tetrapod synapomorphies, and provides only partial insight into the origin of major features of the skull, limbs and axial skeleton of early tetrapods. In view of the morphological gap between elpistostegalian fish and tetrapods, the phylogenetic framework for the immediate sister group of tetrapods has been incomplete and our understanding of major anatomical transformations at the fish-tetrapod transition has remained limited.The discovery of a new elpistostegalian sarcopterygian from the Fram Formation in Nunavut Territory, Canada (Fig. 1) significantly enhances our knowledge of the fish-tetrapod transition. Many articulated specimens from a single site are used to describe a taxon that is a remarkable intermediate between Panderichthys and early tetrapods. The material provides oppor...

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“…Moreover, the fin to limb transition first began in the pectoral fins [6]. On the other hand, teleosts and tetrapods may share no homologous skeletal elements in their forelimbs.…”

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confidence: 99%