Crossopterygii (Noun)
Meaning
Fishes having paired fins resembling limbs and regarded as ancestral to amphibians.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The crossopterygii are a group of ancient fishes that possessed characteristics of both fish and tetrapods, making them a crucial link in the evolution of life on land.
- Fossil records indicate that the crossopterygii were abundant during the Devonian period, with many species exhibiting primitive limb-like fins.
- The discovery of the crossopterygii Tiktaalik in the Arctic Circle provided significant evidence of the transition from fish to tetrapods.
- The crossopterygii are often referred to as "fish with feet" due to their distinctive paired fins, which were likely used for propulsion and maneuverability in the water.
- Scientists believe that the crossopterygii gave rise to the first amphibians, which eventually evolved into the diverse range of tetrapods that inhabit the Earth today.