The most important discovery is the connection between Tiktaalik’s ribs and his pelvis. This innovation, which is not found in most fish, is believed to be crucial in maintaining the body weight needed to walk on land. Unlike fish whose ribs are distributed evenly throughout the body, Tiktaalik exhibits regionalization, that is, ribs specialized to perform specific functions.
Tiktaalik’s pelvic fins, the evolutionary predecessors of its hind legs, were larger than typical fish fins. They are also positioned so that they can be attached to the spine, an important element for weight bearing and walking.
This fish exhibits a surprising mix of fish and land-living characteristics. Although it likely did not walk on land, its anatomy suggests that it could support itself and use its hind flippers for locomotion; This is an important step towards walking.
This study paves the way for further examination of Tiktaalik’s movement patterns and how it interacted with its environment 375 million years ago. By studying this “missing link,” scientists can gain a deeper understanding of the evolutionary leap from water to land.
Source: Ferra
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