Quck answer
Scientists have discovered fossils of ancient fish that walked on the seafloor using their fins about 380 million years ago. These creatures, called Elpistostege watsoni, provide evidence that fish evolved to move on land before any other animals. The fossils were found in Quebec, Canada and show that the fish had a flat skull and a flexible neck, which allowed it to lift its head and look around. This adaptation was necessary for survival in shallow waters with predators. It is believed that eventually, these fish evolved to become the first animals to walk on land, paving the way for all terrestrial life.
Extinct Animals
A recent study published in Cell on February 8, 2018 suggests that the first creatures to walk did it underwater. The late-Devonian vertebrate land invasion, which occurred approximately 382 million years ago, marked a major event in Earth’s history. Our tetrapod ancestors transitioned from the ocean to the surface world and replaced fins and gills with limbs and lungs over millions of years. However, the neural circuits involved in limb control for walking were already established millions of years before the first tetrapod walked on land, according to researchers. The team studied the neural circuitry of the little skate, a cartilaginous fish that is considered one of the most primitive vertebrates alive today. The skate uses its large pectoral fins to swim and smaller pelvic fins to walk, which is similar to the gait of a land animal. The study also sheds light on the history of walking and may lead to an improved understanding of motor neurons and human neurological disorders.
The complete configuration of these networks is not yet fully comprehended in humans and other four-limbed animals, however, this knowledge may someday be helpful in the treatment and cure of spinal cord injuries and diseases that affect motor neurons like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). As the old adage goes, you must first learn to crawl before you can walk, or in this case, swim. Did you know that humans, little skates, and sharks are all jawed vertebrates, or Gnathostomata, which encompasses the vast majority of creatures on our planet?
FAQ
1. What is the significance of the discovery of ancient fish strutting the seafloor?
The discovery of ancient fish strutting the seafloor is significant because it provides insights into the evolution of life on Earth. These fish lived about 375 million years ago and were among the first animals to walk on land. The discovery suggests that the transition from water to land was more gradual than previously thought, and that these fish may have played a crucial role in that transition.
2. What kind of fish were discovered walking on the seafloor?
The fish that were discovered walking on the seafloor were a type of lobe-finned fish called elpistostegalians. These fish had sturdy fins that allowed them to prop themselves up and move across the seafloor. They lived about 375 million years ago and were among the first animals to make the transition from water to land.
3. How did the discovery of these fish change our understanding of the evolution of life on Earth?
The discovery of these fish changed our understanding of the evolution of life on Earth by suggesting that the transition from water to land was more gradual than previously thought. These fish were able to walk on the seafloor using their sturdy fins, which may have helped them to move across shallow waters and eventually onto land. This suggests that the evolution of land animals was not a sudden event, but rather a gradual process that took place over millions of years.
4. Why were these fish able to walk on the seafloor?
These fish were able to walk on the seafloor because they had sturdy fins that allowed them to prop themselves up and move across the substrate. This may have helped them to move across shallow waters and eventually onto land. The evolution of these fins may have been a key factor in the transition from water to land, as they allowed these fish to move in new ways and explore new environments.
5. What other adaptations did these fish have?
These fish had a number of other adaptations that helped them to survive in their environment. They had strong jaws and teeth, which allowed them to catch and eat a variety of prey. They also had strong, bony skeletons that supported their bodies and allowed them to move across the seafloor. These adaptations likely played a role in their eventual transition to land.
6. What is the significance of the discovery of these fish for our understanding of the history of life on Earth?
The discovery of these fish is significant for our understanding of the history of life on Earth because it provides new insights into the evolution of land animals. These fish were among the first animals to make the transition from water to land, and their ability to walk on the seafloor suggests that the transition was more gradual than previously thought. This discovery helps us to better understand the complex processes that led to the evolution of life on Earth.
7. How were these fish able to breathe air?
These fish were able to breathe air by using a primitive lung-like structure called a swim bladder. This structure allowed them to extract oxygen from the air and use it to survive in low-oxygen environments such as shallow waters and tidal pools. Over time, this adaptation may have allowed these fish to eventually transition to life on land.
8. What other animals were alive during the time of these fish?
During the time of these fish, a variety of other animals were alive on Earth. These included other fish, as well as primitive amphibians, reptiles, and insects. The evolution of these animals was likely influenced by the emergence of the elpistostegalians and their ability to walk on the seafloor and breathe air.
9. How were these fish discovered?
These fish were discovered by a team of scientists who were exploring a remote area of the Canadian Arctic. They found a series of fossilized footprints that appeared to have been left by an animal walking on the seafloor. Upon further investigation, they discovered that the footprints had been left by an elpistostegalian fish.
10. What does this discovery tell us about the evolution of land animals?
This discovery tells us that the evolution of land animals was a gradual process that took place over millions of years. The ability of these fish to walk on the seafloor suggests that they may have played a crucial role in the transition from water to land. This discovery also highlights the importance of studying the fossil record in order to better understand the history of life on Earth.
11. What other discoveries might be made in the future about the evolution of life on Earth?
There are likely many other discoveries to be made in the future about the evolution of life on Earth. New fossil finds, genetic studies, and other scientific advancements may shed light on previously unknown aspects of the history of life on our planet. It is an exciting time for paleontology and evolutionary biology, and we can expect many more groundbreaking discoveries in the years to come.
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