Tiktaalik Fossil Unveils Evolutionary Step Towards Walking
Source-en.wikipedia Discoveries in Evolutionary Biology A recent study led by researchers at the University of Barcelona sheds light on a crucial step in the evolution of walking through the examination of the Tiktaalik fossil . This 375-million-year-old specimen, one of the closest relatives to limbed vertebrates, has provided valuable insights into the transition from fins to legs in vertebrate evolution. By reconstructing the skeleton of Tiktaalik, scientists have uncovered evidence suggesting that changes in the axial skeleton preceded the development of limbs, setting the stage for terrestrial locomotion. Role of Axial Skeleton in Evolution Unlike most fish, Tiktaalik exhibited distinct differences in its axial skeleton, particularly in the region connecting the ribs to the pelvis. Through microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) scans, previously hidden anatomical features were revealed, indicating a novel arrangement where the ribs likely attached to the pelvis. This struc...