Explain what scientists have discovered regarding the major adaptations associat

Question

Explain what scientists have discovered regarding the major adaptations associated with each other of the following transformational stages or steps in our evolutionary history:
Tiktaalik (fish/tetrapods fossils found in 375 mya)

Paleozoic amphibians

Pelycosaurs

Therapsids

Early mammals (from 195 mya such as hadrocodium) Explain what scientists have discovered regarding the major adaptations associated with each other of the following transformational stages or steps in our evolutionary history:
Tiktaalik (fish/tetrapods fossils found in 375 mya)

Paleozoic amphibians

Pelycosaurs

Therapsids

Early mammals (from 195 mya such as hadrocodium)
Tiktaalik (fish/tetrapods fossils found in 375 mya)

Paleozoic amphibians

Pelycosaurs

Therapsids

Early mammals (from 195 mya such as hadrocodium)

Explanation / Answer

Tiktaalik has been known as the representative for the transition of fish to amphibians. It is thought that the ancient sarcopterygian fish developed adaptations related to the oxygen-poor shallow water habitat during the time that resulted in the evolution of tetrapods. The Tiktaalik has a mix of characteristics of fish and tetrapod characteristics, which showed the transition from water to land.

Paleozoic amphibians were characterized by the diversification of the fish and the process by which they evolved into first tetrapods and amphibians. The amphibians were first seen in the Carboniferous period of the Paleozoic era.

The amphibians were the dominant land vertebrates which slowly and eventually evolved into the Pelycosaurs, branch of Amniota. They are the intermediate between reptiles and mammals and are often referred as mammal-like reptiles.

Pelycosaurs led to the evolution of the therapsids about 275 million years ago. The therapsids were similar in morphology such as skulls with a different post-cranial morphology. The therapsid had their legs more vertically positioned beneath their body than they were in reptiles and pelycosaurs. This gave a mammal like orientation than the lizard like the orientation of pelycosaurs.

Hadrocodium is the early mammals that resembled closely to the group of mammals. The researchers say that Hadrocodium may be termed as the ancestor of all mammals of the present time. The mammals are the only therapsids that are alive now. The therapsids led to the evolution of the true mammals of the Hadrocardium became the ancestor and is extinct now.

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