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

Catherine A. Boisvert ()
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Catherine A. Boisvert: Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University

Nature, 2005, vol. 438, issue 7071, 1145-1147

Abstract: Ready for a walk Before the first four-legged animal or tetrapod took to the land about 364 million years ago its fish ancestors needed to acquire many things, including legs and their supporting elements, the girdles. Panderichthys is the closest fossil fish relative of tetrapods and its pectoral fins (would-be front legs) and shoulder girdle are transitional between fishes and tetrapods. Its pelvic fins (hind legs) are very important in understanding how fish climbed out of water and now for the first time a fossil with pelvic fin and supporting pelvis has been found. They show that Panderichthys could have moved on land by anchoring its fins on the ground and dragging itself along in a manner similar to that of the modern walking catfish.

Date: 2005
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DOI: 10.1038/nature04119

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