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Clack, J.A. and Ahlberg, P.E. and Finney, S.M. and Domínguez Alonso, Patricio and Robinson, J. and Ketcham, R. A. (2003) A uniquely specialized ear in a very early tetrapod. Nature, 425 . pp. 65-69. ISSN 0028-0836
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Official URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/nature01904
Abstract
The Late Devonian genus Ichthyostega was for many decades the earliest known tetrapod, and the sole representative of a transitional worm between a fish and a land vertebrate. However, despite being known since 1932 (ref. 1) from a large collection of specimens, its morphology remained enigmatic and not what was expected of a very primitive tetrapod2 . Its apparent specializations led it to be considered as a “blind offshoot”3 or “sidebranch”4 off the tetrapod family tree, and recent cladistic analyses have disagreed about its exact phylogenetic position5–8 within the tetrapod stem group. In particular, its braincase and ar region defied interpretation, such that conventional anatomical terms seemed inapplicable4 . Using new material collected in 1998 (ref. 9), preparation of earlier-collected material, and highresolution computed tomography scanning, here we identify and interpret these problematic anatomical structures. They can now be seen to form part of a highly specialized ear, probably a hearing device for use in water. This represents a structurally and functionally unique modification of the tetrapod otic region, unlike anything seen in subsequent tetrapod evolution. The presence of deeply grooved gill bars as in its contemporary Acanthostega10 suggest that Ichthyostega may have been more aquatically adapted than previously believed.
Item Type: | Article |
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Subjects: | Sciences > Geology > Paleontology |
ID Code: | 46627 |
Deposited On: | 28 Feb 2018 10:53 |
Last Modified: | 11 Dec 2018 08:42 |
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