The pectoral fin of Panderichthys and the origin of digits

Catherine A. Boisvert (), Elga Mark-Kurik and Per E. Ahlberg
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Catherine A. Boisvert: Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18A, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden
Elga Mark-Kurik: Institute of Geology at Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia
Per E. Ahlberg: Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18A, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden

Nature, 2008, vol. 456, issue 7222, 636-638

Abstract: Panderichthys toes the line Early hypotheses suggested that the digits of tetrapods (land vertebrates) were homologues of the fin radials of fish, but this idea fell out of favour based on developmental studies and also on the fin of Panderichthys, an extinct fish closely related to land vertebrates, which appeared to lack distal digit-like fin radials. Evidence that fish had homologues of digits early in their evolutionary history has mounted, but Panderichthys stood in the way of full acceptance. Now a new computerized tomography study of a classic Panderichthys specimen shows that the old interpretation was in error. It did indeed have digit-like radials: the way is open to the era of fish fingers.

Date: 2008
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DOI: 10.1038/nature07339

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