10 The fossil record provides evidence of how things have changed over time. The table below shows the evolution of
the origin of Tetrapods.
Evidence of Macroevolution - The Origin of Tetrapods
Fossil
Skeletal
Record
Distal elements
Una
Radius
Humerus
Lungfish
Panderichthys
Acanthostega
Tulerpeton
Ray-finned fish
Eusthenopteron
Tiktaalik
Ichthyostega
Living tetrapods
Between 385 and 360 million years, a lineage of fleshy-finned vertebrates
evolved four legs and eventually the ability to walk on land. The steps of this
transition are recorded in the fossils, some of which are shown here. Many
other lines of evidence, including stratigraphy, comparative anatomy and
_genetic comparisons among modern organisms, support this hypothesis.
F
G
When looking at the fossil record above, what conclusion can be made based on the evidence?
None of the organisms are related.
Tulerpeton is related to living tetrapods, but not to Tiktaalik
All of the organisms have a common fish ancestor.
Ichthyostega are more closely related to living tetrapods than to Tulerpeton.
H