List of transitional fossils
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Possibly the best known of all transitional fossils, the Berlin specimen of Archaeopteryx lithographica
This is a tentative list of transitional fossils (fossil remains of a creature that exhibits primitive traits in comparison with more derived organisms to which it is related). The fossils are listed in series, showing the transition from one group to another, representing significant steps in the evolution of major features in various lines. These changes often represent major changes in anatomy, related to mode of life, like the acquisition of feathered wings for an aerial lifestyle in birds, or legs in the fish/tetrapod transition. As noted already by Darwin, the fossil record is incomplete.[1]
Ideally, this list would only recursively include 'true' transitionals, fossils representing ancestral species from which later groups evolved, but most if not all, of the fossils shown here represent extinct side branches, more or less closely related to the true ancestor.[2] They will all include details unique to their own line as well. Fossils having relatively few such traits are termed "transitional", while those with a host of traits found neither in the ancestral or derived group are called "intermediate". Since all species will always be subject to natural selection, the very term "transitional fossil" is essentially a misconception. It is however a commonly used term and a useful concept in evolutionary biology. The fossils listed represent significant steps in the evolution of major features in various lines and therefore fit the common usage of the phrase.
[edit] Nautiloids to Ammonoids
| The Nautiloids → Ammonoids Evolutionary Series | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Taxa | Relationships | Status | Description | Image |
| >500 Ma |
Subclass: |
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| 390 Ma |
Order: |
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| 370 Ma |
Subclass: |
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[edit] Cephalopods
| The Cephalopod Evolutionary Series | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Taxa | Relationships | Status | Description | Image |
| 296 Ma |
Genus |
The earliest described octopod. | |||
| 164 Ma |
Genus: |
A primitive octopod. | |||
| 165–164 Ma |
Genus: |
An early Vampyromorphida. | |||
| 89 - 71 Ma |
Genus: |
A primitive octopod. | |||
[edit] Evolution of insects
| The Insect Evolutionary Series | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Taxa | Relationships | Status | Description | Image |
| 400 Ma |
Genus: |
The world’s oldest known insect. |
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| 400 Ma |
Genus: |
Early springtail. |
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| 300 Ma |
Genus: |
An ancestral to cockroaches, mantids and termites. |
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| 316.5 Ma |
Genus: |
A primitive cockroach. |
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| 140 Ma |
Genus: |
The earliest known Lepidopteran. |
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| 92 Ma |
Genus: |
The oldest known species of bee. |
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| 80 Ma |
Genus: |
The earliest known species of ant. |
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| 56 - 34 Ma |
Genus: |
First leaf insect from the fossil record. | |||
[edit] Evolution of spiders
| The Spider Evolutionary Series | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Taxa | Relationships | Status | Description | Image |
| 390 Ma |
Genus: |
Previously thought to be the world's oldest spider. | |||
| 165 Ma |
Genus |
The oldest known haplogyne spider. | |||
[edit] Invertebrates to Fish
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This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
| The Invertebrates → Fish Evolutionary Series | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Taxa | Relationships | Status | Description | Image |
| ??? Ma |
Genus: |
Lancelet-like in appearance. Oldest known ancestor of modern vertebrates
Vertebrate characters
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| ??? Ma |
Class: |
Had fin rays, chevron-shaped muscles and a notochord. | |||
| 530 Ma |
Genus: |
Appears to have a cranium, thus being a craniat.[3] | |||
| 480 to 470 Ma |
Genus: |
Jawless fish | A well armoured jawless fish, resembling a large tadpole in life | ||
| ??? Ma |
Genus: |
An anaspid, ancestral to the jawed vertebrates,[4] | An unarmored, scaly jawless fish | ||
| 419 Ma |
Genus: |
Oldest known bony fish[5] | |||
[edit] Chondrichthyes
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This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
| The Chondrichthyes Evolutionary Series | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Taxa | Relationships | Status | Description | Image |
| 370 Ma |
Genus: |
An early primitive shark. | |||
| 70 - 65 Ma |
Genus: |
An early Sawfish | |||
| 99 – 65 Ma |
Genus: |
An early stingray-like skate. | |||
[edit] Bony Fish
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This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
| The Bony Fish Evolutionary Series | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Taxa | Relationships | Status | Description | Image |
| 420 Ma |
Genus: |
The earliest-known Actinopterygiian. |
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| ??? Ma |
Genus: |
An early relative of the Flatfish, one eye had already migrated towards the body midline. | |||
| 48 – 37 Ma |
Genus: |
The earliest known true flatfish | |||
| 183.7–125.0 Ma |
Genus: |
One of the first teleosts. | |||
| 99 – 93 Ma |
Genus: |
The oldest known eel. | |||
| 13 Ma |
Genus: |
One of the oldest known seahorse. | |||
| 13 Ma |
Genus: |
One of the oldest known seahorse. | |||
| 83 - 70 Ma |
Genus: |
The oldest known lamprid fish | |||
| 56 - 34 Ma |
Genus: |
A primitive sunfish | |||
| 58 - 55 Ma |
Genus: |
The oldest known member of the catfish family Callichthyidae. | |||
| 56 - 34 Ma |
Genus: |
A primitive rabbitfish. | |||
| 48 - 37 Ma |
Genus: |
A primitive perch | |||
| 58 - 55 Ma |
Genus: |
A primitive pomfret | |||
| 48 - 40 Ma |
Genus: |
An early handfish | |||
| 48 - 40 Ma |
Genus: |
The oldest known ostraciid boxfish | |||
| 48 - 40 Ma |
Genus: |
The oldest known aracanid boxfish | |||
| 48 - 40 Ma |
Genus: |
A basal surgeonfish | |||
| 48 - 40 Ma |
Genus: |
A primitive monodactylid moonyfish | |||
| 48 - 40 Ma |
Genus: |
A primitive monodactylid moonyfish | |||
| 48 - 40 Ma |
Genus: |
A short-snouted ancestor of the modern Moorish Idol. | |||
| 83 - 65 Ma |
Genus: |
A primitive Tetraodontidae | |||
| 83 - 65 Ma |
Genus: |
A primitive Perciforme | |||
| 58 - 55 Ma |
Genus: |
A primitive Zeidae | |||
| 58 - 55 Ma |
Genus: |
A primitive Zeidae | |||
| ??? Ma |
Genus: |
A primitive Ichthyodectidae | |||
| 65 Ma |
Genus: |
A primitive tetraodontid | |||
[edit] Fish to Tetrapods
| The Fish → Tetrapods Evolutionary Series | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Taxa | Relationships | Status | Description | Image |
| 416-359 Ma |
Genus: |
An early member of the Tetrapodomorpha, the piscine line leading to tetrapods, Osteolepis is generalised enough to give a fair approximation of the common ancestor of tetrapods and lungfish.[6] | Fish | A small to medium sized sarcopterygian fish with internal nostrils and pectoral fins stiffened by bony components broadly homologous to the humerus and radius/ulna found in tetrapods.[6] | |
| 385 Ma |
Genus: |
Belonging to the family Tristichopteridae, a family that form a sister group to Panderichthys and the tetrapods.[6] | Though not on the evolutionary path to tetrapods, Eusthenopteron is of fairly general build and is very well known, serving as an iconic model organism in tetrapod evolution.[7] | A medium sized, mainly pelagic fish, Eusthenopteron mainly use the pectoral and pelvic fins for navigation, and the tail for propulsion.[7] The fin was of diphycercal, foreshadowing the straightening of the spine and the evolution of a contiguous fin in fish like Panderichthys | |
| 380 Ma |
Genus: |
Very close to the origin of tetrapods, a "fishapod".[6] | Fish | A large, predatory shallow water fish. As common in shallow water fish, the pectoral and pelvic fins was flexible and paddle-like for propulsion.[8] The dorsal and anal fins are lost, the tail fin contiguous.[9] The spiracles were short and wide, indication large amount of oxygen were taken up by the lungs rather than through the gills.[10] | |
| 375 Ma |
Genus: |
A "fishapod" more tetrapod-like than Panderichthys.[6] | A fish, transitional between fish and the early, fish-like labyrinthodonts.[11][12] | "Fish" with stout, fleshy pectoral fins with a joint between the innermost and the two next bony elements, corresponding to the elbow in higher tetrapods. The cleithrum bone was free of the skull, functioning as anchoring for the pectoral fins, and at the same time allowing for movement of the neck.[12][13] | |
| 368 Ma |
Genus: |
A fairly fragmentary find, Elginerpeton straddles the fish/tetrapod divide with a mosaic of features resembling 'Panderichthys, Ichthyostega and Hynerpeton.[14] Probably one of the "fishapods".[15] | |||
| 365 Ma |
Genus: |
Morphologically midway between Tiktaalik and Acanthostega/Ichthyostega.[16] | Possibly oldest animal to have feet rather than fins.[16] | A large, dorso-ventrally flattened predatory fish with a well armoured labyrinthodont-like skull. While the fins themselves has not been found, the shoulder girdle is essentially similar to that of Acanthostega, indicating it too had feet rather than fins.[16] | |
| 365 Ma |
Genus: |
Together with Ichthyostega the sole early labyrinthodont known from fairly complete skeletons. It is the oldest animal known to have feet rather than fins, thus making it a true tetrapod.[17] | First known animal with toes rather than fins. The feet was broad and paddle-like, adapted for movement in water.[18] It retained functional gills in adulthood, behind a fleshy operculum. | ||
| 365 Ma |
Genus: |
Fairly closely related to Acanthostega. It possibly represent an early (and ultimately unsuccessful) line adapted to moving on land by inchworm-like movements. | Together with Acanthostega the sole early labyrinthodont known from fairly complete skeletons. | Early labyrinthodont with polydactylous, paddle-like feet and reinforced vertebrae and neural spines. It probably spent time on land, yet retained gills and a tail with fin rayes. | |
| 360 Ma |
Genus: |
A large, basically salamander-like creature. The shoulder girdle was powerful, indicating it was a competent walker.[19] | |||
| ??? Ma |
Genus: |
A large animal with paddle-like six-toed feet. It did however not have gills in adulthood, and is thus the oldest labyrinthodont known to depend entirely on breathing with its lungs.[20] | |||
| 359 - 345 Ma |
Genus: |
Hailing from the fossil-poor Romer's Gap, Pederpes may be ancestral to the higher labyrinthodonts. | Intermediate between the earlier Ichthyostegalian and the later, more advanced labyrinthodonts. | Despite an extra toe on the forelimbs, Pederpes had limbs that terminated in feet adapted primarely for walking rather than paddles for combined swimming and walking like the earlier groups.[21] | |
| 295 Ma |
Genus: |
The Temnospondyli are derived paleozoic amphibians, possibly ancestral to modern amphibians | A "classical" temnospondyl, an advanced labyrinthodont group. | One of the best known labyrinthodonts, Eryops combines the large, flat skull and short limbs typical of the group. | |
[edit] Labyrinthodonts to Modern amphibians
| The Labyrinthodontia → Lissamphibia Evolutionary Series | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Taxa | Relationships | Status | Description | Image |
| 290 Ma |
Genus: |
Colloquially referred to as a "frogamander" due to this taxon being both chronologically and morphologically basal to both anurans and salamanders | One of the first transitional fossils towards modern amphibians (Lissamphibia).[22] | Plesiomorphic traits
Derived traits
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| 250 Ma |
Genus: |
Intermediate between generalized amphibians and derived frogs | Early "almost frog" transitional amphibian | Plesiomorphic traits
Derived traits
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| 190 Ma |
Genus: |
Another transitional form which could be properly classified as a frog | An intermediate form which may replace Triadobatrachus as the "ultimate" ancestor of anurans | Plesiomorphic traits
Derived traits
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| 213-188 Ma |
Genus: |
A derived fossil frog completing the series of transitional fossils between early amphibians and modern anurans | The oldest "true" frog[23] | Plesiomorphic traits
Derived traits
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| 210 Ma |
Genus: |
Intermediate between basal amphibians and caecilians | An early caecilian | Plesiomorphic traits
Derived traits
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[edit] Amphibians to Amniotes (early reptiles)
| The Amphibians → Reptiles Evolutionary Series | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Taxa | Relationships | Status | Description | Image |
| 326 - 318 Ma |
Genus: |
One of the early reptile-like amphibians | Amphibian | A large, somewhat lizard-like labyrinthodont with a deep skull, laterally placed eyes and five digits to each foot. | |
| ??? Ma |
Genus: |
The order Diadectomorpha is the sister group of the amniotes. | The Limnoscelis was originally described as a "cotylosaur" (early reptiles) together with the other diadectomorphans. Today the large-bodied diadectomorphs are thought to have had a larval stage, falling close to, but just outside the amphibian/reptile divide. | A large, predatory reptile-like amphibian. The limbs are extremely heavily built, indicating it fed on slow moving prey. | |
| ??? Ma |
Genus: |
Uncertain phylogeny, possibly a Seymouriamorph or Diadectomorph[24][25] | Amphibian | A medium sized, probably herbivorious animal | |
| 350 Ma |
Genus: |
Uncertain phylogenetic position. Westlothiana may be a small-bodied diadectopmorph, falling just outside the amphibian/reptile divide | Originally described as the first reptile, it is now considered an advanced reptile-like amphibian. | Small, probably insectovorious animal. The body and tail was long, the limbs small, somewhat like a modern skink. | |
| 320-305 Ma |
Genus: |
Possibly allied to the Diadectomorpha, or belinging to a sister group to Diadectomorpha and Amniota[26] | Likely an amphibian[26] | Smallish, likely carnivorious.[27] | |
| 340 Ma |
Genus: |
The fragmentary nature of the fossil (it lacks a cranium) makes an exact phylogenetic position hard to establish. | Possibly the first animal with an amniote egg, and thus the first reptile. | Small lizard-like animal, the first known tetrapod to possess claws, indicating it has reptilian type skin with scutes.[28] | |
| 315 Ma |
Genus: |
One of several small, basal reptile genera | Reptile | An early anapsid reptile, considered to be ancestral to both the synapsid and sauropsid lines, and thus the oldest representative of the crown group amniotes. | |
| 312 - 304 Ma |
Genus: |
One of several small, basal reptile genera | Reptile (most likely a sauropsid) | An early anapsid reptile. In phylogenetic analysis it falls on the sauropsid side, it is thus likely a progenitor of the diapsids | |
[edit] Turtles
| The Turtle Evolutionary Series | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Taxa | Relationships | Status | Description | Image |
| 220 Ma |
Genus: |
The oldest known turtle. |
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| 210 Ma |
Genus: |
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| 164 Ma |
Genus: |
An evolutionary bridge between early land turtles and sea turtles. |
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[edit] From Lizards to Snakes
| The Lizard → Snake Evolutionary Series | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Taxa | Relationships | Status | Description | Image |
| 92 Ma |
Genus: |
A transitional form between Cretaceous lizards and limbless snakes retaining distinct, if non-functional, legs.[29] | |||
| 90 Ma |
Genus: |
A basal snake with two hind-limbs. | |||
[edit] Lizards
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This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
| The Lizard Evolutionary Series | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Taxa | Relationships | Status | Description | Image |
| 61 - 58 Ma |
Genus: |
The earliest known chameleon. | |||
| 92 Ma |
Genus: |
A basal mosasauroid from the Upper Cretaceous of North America. | |||
| 71 - 82 Ma |
Genus: |
One of the earliest Varanoidea. | |||
| 146–100 Ma |
Genus: |
An primitive iguanid | |||
| 97–100 Ma |
Genus: |
The oldest known gecko | |||
[edit] Pterosaurs
| Rhamphorhynchoidea → Pterodactyloidea Evolutionary Series | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Taxa | Relationships | Status | Description | Image |
| 160 Ma |
Genus: |
Basal to both rhamphorhynchoids and pterodactyloids | |||
| 160 Ma |
Genus |
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[edit] Archosaurs to Dinosaurs
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This documentation needs attention from an expert on the subject. See the talk page for details. WikiProject Dinosaurs or the Dinosaurs Portal may be able to help recruit an expert. (April 2010) |
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This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
| The Archosauria → Dinosauria Series | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Taxa | Relationships | Status | Description | Image |
| ??? Ma |
Genus: |
The oldest known archosaur. |
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| ??? Ma |
Genus: |
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| ??? Ma |
Genus: |
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| ??? Ma |
Genus: |
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| 228 Ma |
Genus: |
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[edit] Dinosauria
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This documentation needs attention from an expert on the subject. See the talk page for details. WikiProject Dinosaurs or the Dinosaurs Portal may be able to help recruit an expert. (June 2010) |
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This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
| The Dinosauria Evolutionary Series | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Taxa | Relationships | Status | Description | Image |
| 228 to 216.5 Ma |
Genus: |
The oldest known ornithischian. |
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| 216–200 Ma |
Genus: |
The most primitive well-known representative of the sauropodomorph dinosaurs. | |||
| ??? Ma |
Genus: |
The oldest and most primitive known stegosaur. | |||
| ??? Ma |
Genus: |
A basal pachycephalosaur from the Barremian Stage of the Cretaceous. | |||
| 160 Ma |
Genus: |
A genus of basal ceratopsian dinosaur from the Late Jurassic Period of central Asia. | |||
| 160 Ma |
Genus: |
A genus of proceratosaurid tyrannosauroid dinosaur, one of the earliest known examples of the lineage. | |||
| 126 Ma |
Genus: |
An early genus of therizinosaur | |||
| 208–194 Ma |
Genus: |
One of the most primitive thyreophorans. | |||
| 130–125 Ma |
Genus: |
A possible ancestor of the duck-billed dinosaurs. | |||
| ??? Ma |
Genus: |
A primitive (basal) ornithomimosaur. | |||
[edit] Dinosaurs to birds
| The Dinosaurs → birds Evolutionary Series | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Taxa | Relationships | Status | Description | Image |
| 168-140 Ma |
Genus: |
The find is represented only by a hind leg, but one that is very bird-like. It belonged to a small maniraptoran dinosaur with long, pennaceous feathers on its hind legs and (in all likelihood) arms. | |||
| 155 Ma |
Genus: |
Although once classified as a bird, Anchiornis is now considered a basal troodontid which bears pennaceous, symmetrical feathers on all four limbs. | Plesiomorphic traits
Derived traits
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| 164-158 Ma |
Genus: |
A small arboreal dinosaur with long arms with wing feathers, Scansoriopteryx could climb well and possibly glide | Maniraptoran dinosaur, representative of the family Scansoriopterygidae | Plesiomorphic traits
Derived traits |
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| 150–145 Ma |
Genus: |
Known for its mosaic of avian and theropod characteristics Archaeopteryx is both the first primitive bird in the fossil record and one of the first transitional fossils discovered. | Traditionally seen as the first proper bird, though it is not directly ancestral to modern birds.[34] An excellent intermediate form between dinosaurs and birds. Capable of gliding, but lacking alula and keel, it could likely not sustain powered flight. | Plesiomorphic traits
Derived traits
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| 120 Ma |
Genus: |
Found in the famous Liaoning province Confuciusornis is the first primitive bird with a pygostyle. | With its short tail and toothless beak, Confuciusornis is very modern looking compared to Archaeopteryx. The toothless beak is however a case of convergent evolution, as more advanced birds retained teeth, illustration the sometimes confusing mosaic evolution of the dinosaur-bird transition. | Plesiomorphic traits
Derived traits Unlike other early birds Confuciusornis had a toothless beak |
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| 146 Ma-100 Ma |
Genus: |
Small theropod discovered in China that has traces of small feathers that resembles fur. | derived traits
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| 115 Ma |
Genus: |
Primitive bird and possibly a descendant of "urvogels" like Archaeopteryx. First bird to possess an alula. | Derived traits
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| 93.5-75 Ma |
Genus: |
Considered a close relative to the ancestor to modern birds | A flying bird found in several epochs in the late Cretaceous which still bore teeth, but in most respects very similar to Neornithes. | Plesiomorphic traits
Derived traits
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[edit] Bird Evolution
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This documentation needs attention from an expert on the subject. See the talk page for details. WikiProject Bird or the Bird Portal may be able to help recruit an expert. (May 2010) |
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This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
| The Bird Evolutionary Series | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Taxa | Relationships | Status | Description | Image |
| 60-58 Ma |
Genus: |
The earliest-known Penguin. |
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| ??? Ma |
Genus: |
An early flamingo. | |||
| ??? Ma |
Genus: |
An early gaviiform. | |||
| 55-48 Ma |
Genus: |
An early psittacine. | |||
| ??? Ma |
Genus: |
An basal falconiform. | |||
| 50 Ma |
Genus: |
An early apodiform. | |||
[edit] Synapsid ("mammal-like reptiles") to mammals
| The Synapsids → Mammals Evolutionary Series | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Taxa | Relationships | Status | Description | Image |
| ??? Ma |
Genus: |
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| 306 Ma |
Genus: |
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| ??? Ma |
Genus: |
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| 265 Ma |
Genus: |
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| ??? Ma |
Genus: |
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| 248-245 Ma |
Genus: |
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| 205 Ma |
Genus: |
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| 125 Ma |
Genus: |
An early crown group mammal. | |||
[edit] Evolution of mammals
| The Mammal Evolutionary Series | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Taxa | Relationships | Status | Description | Image |
| 100–104 Ma |
Genus: |
The earliest-known monotreme to date. |
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| 125 Ma |
Genus: |
The oldest metatherian known. |
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| ?? Ma |
Genus: |
The earliest-known marsupial. |
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| 125 Ma |
Genus: |
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| 63-50 Ma |
Genus: |
The earliest known proboscidean. |
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| 60-55 Ma |
Genus: |
The ancestor of the modern Order Carnivora. |
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| 15.97–11.61 Ma |
Genus: |
The earliest known cervid. |
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| 20-18 Ma |
Genus: |
The earliest known bovid. |
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| 45-40 Ma |
Genus: |
The oldest camel known, it was also the smallest. |
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| ??? Ma |
Genus: |
Suspected to be the ancestor of modern tapirs and rhinoceroses. |
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| 55.4—48.6 Ma |
Genus: |
Suspected to be the ancestor of modern tapirs. |
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| 38—33.9 Ma |
Genus: |
The earliest of the canids. |
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| ??? Ma |
Genus: |
The earliest of the lagomorphs. |
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| 52.5 Ma |
Genus: |
One of the most primitive of the two oldest known monospecific genera of bat. |
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| 2 Ma |
Genus: |
The earliest known ancestor of the Giant Panda. |
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| 63 - 61.7Ma |
Genus: |
Believed to be the earliest example of a primate or a proto-primate, a primatomorph precursor to the Plesiadapiformes. | |||
| 12.5-8.5 Ma |
Genus: |
This genus may have been the ancestor to the modern orangutans. |
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| 16 - 8 Ma |
Genus: |
An possible ancestor of living hippopotamids. | |||
| ?? Ma |
Genus: |
The earliest known true (and scaled) pangolin. | |||
[edit] Early Artiodactylans to whales (Evolution of whales)
| The whale Evolutionary Series | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Taxa | Relationships | Status | Description | Image |
| 55.8 ± 0.2 - 33.9 ± 0.1 Ma |
Genus: |
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| 50 Ma |
Genus: |
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| 46 Ma |
Genus: |
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| 47 Ma |
Genus: |
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| 41-33 Ma |
Genus: |
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| 25 Ma |
Genus: |
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| 40-34 Ma |
Genus: |
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| 8-15 Ma |
Genus: |
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| 26 Ma |
Genus: |
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[edit] Evolution of sirenians
| The Sirenia Evolutionary Series | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Taxa | Relationships | Status | Description | Image |
| 50 Ma |
Genus: |
A primitive sirenian. |
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| 40 Ma |
Genus: |
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| ??? Ma |
Genus: |
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| 48.6–33.9 Ma |
Genus: |
An evolutionary bridge between primitive land-dwelling sirenians to aquatic sirenians |
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| ??? Ma |
Genus: |
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[edit] Evolution of the Pinnipeds
| The Pinniped Evolutionary Series | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Taxa | Relationships | Status | Description | Image |
| 21 to 24 Ma |
Genus: |
The oldest known pinniped. |
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| ??? Ma |
Genus: |
A very basal pinniped. | |||
| 24-22 Ma |
Genus: |
An early seal, but with more primitive skull and feet. | |||
[edit] Evolution of the horse
| The Hyracotherium → Equus Evolutionary Series | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Taxa | Relationships | Status | Description | Image |
| 60-45 Ma |
Genus: |
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| 40-30 Ma |
Genus: |
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| 20 Ma |
Genus: |
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| 17-11 Ma |
Genus: |
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| 12 Ma |
Genus: |
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| 1.8-0 Ma |
Genus: |
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[edit] Human evolution
| The Human Evolutionary Series | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Taxa | Relationships | Status | Description | Image |
| 36-32 Ma |
Genus |
The oldest primitive monkey known in the fossil record, dating back before the split between Old and New world monkeys. | Basal to both Old and New world monkeys. | Plesiomorphic traits
Derived traits
|
|
| 33 Ma |
Genus |
A Miocene monkey which bridges the gap between the Eocene ancestors of Old world monkeys and Miocene ancestor of Hominoidae. | Tentatively positioned transitional form prior to the Old world monkey/ape split. | Plesiomorphic traits
Derived traits
|
|
| 27-14 Ma |
Genus |
This primate has very ape-like features like its teeth, but much of its post-cranial remains are more similar to monkeys. | Universally accepted to be intermediate between 'ape-like monkeys' such as Aegyptopithecus and later apes including hominids. | Plesiomorphic traits
Derived traits
|
|
| 13 Ma |
Genus: |
A European ape which is considered to be the predecessor of the great apes. | Some objections have been raised to this fossils status due to its location in Spain, but Pierolapithecus is likely a transitional taxon between generalized apes and the lineage which led to great apes. | Pleisomorphic traits
Derived traits
|
|
| 4.4 Ma |
Genus: |
A woodland hominid adapted to quadruped arboreal locamotion, but also for bipedalism. | Intermediate between the last common ancestor of chimps and humans, and the australopithecines. | Plesiomorphic traits
Derived traits
|
|
| 4.4-2.0 Ma |
Genus: |
First known genus of fully bipedal apes which are probably ancestral to robust australopiths and the genus Homo | Intermediate between extinct quadrupedal and bipedal apes. While the relationship between some species are being revised, Australopithecus afarensis is considered to be, by most experts, the ancestor to all later hominids. | Plesiomorphic traits
Derived traits
|
|
| 2.5-1.5 Ma |
Species: |
An early human which is the morphological link between australopithecines and later human species. | Perfect intermediate between early hominids and later humans, possibly ancestral to modern humans. | Plesiomorphic traits
Derived traits
|
|
| 2.0-1.0 Ma |
Species: |
Very successful hominid, which was probably ancestral to both modern humans and neanderthals. Probably the first hominid to leave and successfully colonize territories outside of Africa. | Ancestral to modern humans and neanderthals. | Plesiomorphic traits
Derived traits
|
|
| 500 Ka-recent |
Species |
Archaic sapiens were the immediate ancestors of modern humans which evidently displaced the neanderthals in Europe and the island 'hobbits' of southeast Asia. 'Archaic' sapiens evolved from H. erectus about half a million years ago but still retains some primitive characteristics such as relatively thick bones and molars larger than modern humans. | Ancestral to modern humans. | ||
[edit] See also
- Chimpanzee genome project — Genes of the Chromosome 2 fusion site
- List of fossil sites (with link directory)
- List of human evolution fossils
- Transitional fossil
[edit] References
- ^ Darwin, C (1859) On the Origin of Species. Chapter 10: On the Imperfection of the Geological Record.
- ^ Weishampel D.B. (1996). "Fossils, Phylogeny, and Discovery: A Cladistic Study of the History of Tree Topologies and Ghost Lineage Durations". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 16 (2): 191–197. doi:10.1080/02724634.1996.10011307. JSTOR 4523710.
- ^ Shu, D. G.; Morris, S. C.; Han, J.; Zhang, Z. F.; Yasui, K.; Janvier, P.; Chen, L.; Zhang, X. L. et al. (Jan 2003), "Head and backbone of the Early Cambrian vertebrate Haikouichthys", Nature 421 (6922): 526–529, Bibcode 2003Natur.421..526S, doi:10.1038/nature01264, ISSN 0028-0836, PMID 12556891
- ^ Ahlberg, Per Erik (2001). Major events in early vertebrate evolution: palaeontology, phylogeny, genetics, and development. Washington, DC: Taylor & Francis. p. 188. ISBN 978-0-415-23370-5. http://books.google.com/?id=zeyRZNZl-74C&pg=PA188&dq=Anaspida+%22stem+gnathostomes%22.
- ^ Zhu M., Zhao W., Jia,L., Lu, J., Qiao, T., Qu, Q. (2009): The oldest articulated osteichthyan reveals mosaic gnathostome characters. [[Nature (journal)|]] no 458: pp 469-474.
- ^ a b c d e Ahlberg, P. E.; and Johanson, Z. (1998). "Osteolepiforms and the ancestry of tetrapods". Nature 395 (6704): 792–794. Bibcode 1998Natur.395..792A. doi:10.1038/27421. http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/courses.hp/biol606/papers/Ahlberg+1998.pdf.
- ^ a b R. Cloutier (1996). "Taxonomic review of Eusthenopteron foordi.". Devonian Fishes and Plants of Miguasha, Quebec, Canada. Dr. Friedrich Pfeil, München. pp. 487–502.
- ^ Nature: The pelvic fin and girdle of Panderichthys and the origin of tetrapod locomotion
- ^ Carroll, R. (1995): Between fish and amphibians. Nature vol. 373, pp 389-390 Access : Between fish and amphibian : Nature[dead link]
- ^ Brazeau, M.D., & Ahlberg, P.E. (2006): Tetrapod-like middle ear architecture in a Devonian fish. Nature, no 439 (7074), pp 318-321. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16421569 abstract
- ^ John Noble Wilford, The New York Times, Scientists Call Fish Fossil the Missing Link, Apr. 5, 2006.
- ^ a b Shubin, Neil (2008). Your Inner Fish. Pantheon. ISBN 978-0-375-42447-2.
- ^ "Meet Your ancestor, the Fish that crawled". New Scientist Magazine. http://www.newscientist.com/channel/life/mg19125681.500-meet-your-ancestor--the-fish-that-crawled.html;jsessionid=NDHPCECNAGNA. Retrieved 2007-02-07.
- ^ Ahlberg, P.E. (1991): Tetrapod or near-tetrapod fossils from the Upper Devonian of Scotland. Nature vol 354: pp 298-301.
- ^ Elginerpeton pacheni at Devonian Times Archived 18 January 2010 at WebCite
- ^ a b c Ahlberg, Per. E.; Jennifer A. Clack, Ervins Luksevics, Henning Blom and Ivars Zupins (26 June 2008). "Ventastega curonica and the origin of tetrapod morphology". Nature 453 (7199): 1199–1204. doi:10.1038/nature06991. PMID 18580942. article
- ^ Jennifer A. Clack, Scientific American, Getting a Leg Up on Land Nov. 21, 2005.[dead link]
- ^ "Acanthostega gunneri," Devonian Times. Archived 17 January 2010 at WebCite
- ^ Shubin, Neil (2009). Your Inner Fish: A Journey Into the 3.5-Billion-Year History of the Human Body. New York: Vintage. p. 13. ISBN 978-0-307-27745-9.
- ^ Gordon, M.S. and Long, J.A. (2004): The Greatest Step In Vertebrate History: A Paleobiological Review of the Fish-Tetrapod Transition. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology no 77(5): pp 700-719. article
- ^ Clack, J. A. (2002). "An early tetrapod from 'Romer's Gap'". Nature 418 (6893): 72–76. doi:10.1038/nature00824. PMID 12097908.
- ^ a b Anderson J. S., Reisz R. R., Scott D., Fröbisch N. B., & Sumida S. S. (2008): A stem batrachian from the Early Permian of Texas and the origin of frogs and salamanders. Nature No 453, pp 515–518 doi:10.1038/nature06865
- ^ Estes, R., and O. A. Reig. (1973): The early fossil record of frogs: a review of the evidence. Pp. 11-63 In J. L. Vial (Ed.), Evolutionary Biology of the Anurans: Contemporary Research on Major Problems. University of Missouri Press, Columbia.
- ^ Moss J.L. (1972). "The Morphology and phylogenetic relationship of the Lower Permian tetrapod Tseajaia campi Vaughn (Amphibia: Seymouriamorpha)". University of California Publications in Geological Sciences 98: 1–72.
- ^ Berman, D.S., Sumida, S.S., & Lombard, R.E. (1992): Reinterpretation of the temporal and occipital regions in Diadectes and the relationship of diadectomorphs. Journal of Paleontology no 66: pp 481–499
- ^ a b Gauthier J., Kluge, A.G., & Rowe, T. (1988) The early evolution of the Amniota. In: M. J. Benton (ed.) The phylogeny and classification of the tetrapods, Volume 1: amphibians, reptiles, birds (1): pp 103-155. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
- ^ Solenodonsaurus on the TOL-web
- ^ R. L. Paton, T. R. Smithson and J. A. Clack, "An amniote-like skeleton from the Early Carboniferous of Scotland", (abstract), Nature 398, 508-513 (8 April 1999)
- ^ "Fossilized Snake With Two Legs Found - Science - redOrbit". http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1335315/fossilized_snake_with_two_legs_found/. Retrieved 2008-04-16.
- ^ Blogspot.com
- ^ Wordpress.com
- ^ Czerkas, S.A., and Yuan, C. (2002). "An arboreal maniraptoran from northeast China." Pp. 63-95 in Czerkas, S.J. (Ed.), Feathered Dinosaurs and the Origin of Flight. The Dinosaur Museum Journal 1. The Dinosaur Museum, Blanding, U.S.A. PDF abridged version
- ^ Zhang, F., Zhou, Z., Xu, X. & Wang, X. (2002). "A juvenile coelurosaurian theropod from China indicates arboreal habits." Naturwissenschaften, 89(9): 394-398. doi:10.1007 /s00114-002-0353-8.
- ^ Padian, K. & Chiappe, L.M. (1997): Bird Origins. In: Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs (red. Currie, P.J & Padian, K., Academic Press, San Diego, pp 41–96, ISBN 978-0-12-226810-6
- ^ Chinsamy A., Martin L.D., Dobson P. (1998). "Bone microstructure of the diving Hesperornis and the volant Ichthyornis from the Niobrara Chalk of western Kansas". Cretaceous Research 19 (2): 225–235. doi:10.1006/cres.1997.0102.
- ^ Ji, Q., Luo, Z-X., Yuan, C-X.,Wible, J.R., Zhang, J-P.,and Georgi, J.A. (April 2002). "The earliest known eutherian mammal". Nature 416 (6883): 816–822. doi:10.1038/416816a. PMID 11976675. http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v416/n6883/full/416816a.html. Retrieved 2008-09-24.
[edit] External links
- Vuletic.com, Section V: Paleontology – Transitional fossils between every animal group
- Palaeos.com, Palaeos vertebrates starting with lobe-finned fish (very comprehensive)
- Talk.origins.org, FAQ: Transitional vertebrate fossils
- (A few) transitional fossils