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The Origin and Evolution of Mammals - Moodle

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(a)<br />

(b)<br />

(c)<br />

humerus<br />

radius<br />

aquatic tetrapod would not be expected to lose its<br />

gills even if living in low-oxygen waters, because <strong>of</strong><br />

the effectiveness <strong>of</strong> gills in nitrogen <strong>and</strong> carbon<br />

dioxide excretion. On this argument, only gill-less<br />

tetrapods would be expected to have been in the<br />

habit <strong>of</strong> spending at least periods <strong>of</strong> their life completely<br />

out <strong>of</strong> the water.<br />

ulna<br />

EVOLUTION OF MAMMAL-LIKE REPTILES 15<br />

Acanthostega<br />

Ichthyostega<br />

stapes<br />

gill bars<br />

Figure 3.1 Early tetrapods. (a) Skull <strong>of</strong> Acanthostega gunnari in dorsal, ventral <strong>and</strong> lateral views, <strong>and</strong> lateral view showing position <strong>of</strong> branchial<br />

arches. Skull length up to 20 cm (Clack 2002) (b) Reconstruction <strong>of</strong> the skeleton, <strong>and</strong> the bones <strong>of</strong> the forelimb <strong>of</strong> Acanthostega gunnari<br />

(Coates 1996). (c) Skeleton <strong>of</strong> Ichthyostega. Length approx. 1 m (Coates <strong>and</strong> Clack 1995).<br />

Once into the Carboniferous, a substantial<br />

radiation <strong>of</strong> tetrapods commenced <strong>and</strong> there were<br />

lineages showing a wide range <strong>of</strong> respective<br />

degrees <strong>of</strong> terrestrial adaptation (Clack 2002). Many<br />

had secondarily reduced or even lost the limbs<br />

<strong>and</strong> developed streamlined bodies, while the great<br />

majority retained lateral lines. Although only

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