TERM 1
Sarcoptyngerians-Fish Survivors of this group
today include the lungfishes (Dipnoans) and
Coelacanths
DEFINITION 1
Which class (mammals, fish, birds, etc.) do paleontologist
believe Tetrapods evolved from. What are the 2 extant
groups (fish species) today most similar to the first
Tetrapods?
TERM 2
Acanthostega and Ichthyostega
DEFINITION 2
Know the names of the 2 most common fossil groups of early
tetrapods.
TERM 3
The significance of an amniotic egg meant
that the egg does not need to be submerged
in water, thus the animals can live on land.
DEFINITION 3
Make sure you understand the significance of the amniotic
egg.
TERM 4
Be able to list the advantages of the first
tetrapod moving to land, what appendages
and body characteristics were necessary?
DEFINITION 4
land was free of vertebrates so any s arcopterygian that could
exploit this empty resource would have a great advantage
Paleontologists feel first 2 species, Aca nthostega and Ichthyostega
congregated in shallow water, especially juvenile s to avoid larger
predatory fish. Lungs would have help ed with low oxygen levels,
legs bore weight while waiting for prey and aided in locomotion
TERM 5
similar to the extant elephant seal (Mirounga
leonina) and maybe two toed anteater
(Cyclopes didactylus)???
DEFINITION 5
Which extant species today is similar morphologically (but
not in other ways) to Icthyostega
