How did the ancient fish Tiktaalik roseae walk on the ground?

Fossils of ancient fish Tiktaalik roseae from about 375 million years ago show their fins shaped like the sole of the foot to be placed on the bottom of a river or stream.

American scientists have studied fish fossils about 375 million years ago, in order to understand the evolution of fish fins as they began to develop into limbs to move on land.

Ancient fish Tiktaalik roseae.(Source: Livescience).

The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on December 30, in which ancient fish fins shaped like the sole of the foot could be placed. to the bottom of a river or stream.

Paleontologists at the University of Chicago have used CT scanning technology to examine the shape and structure of fin rays still wrapped in fossils.

The scientists first built digital 3D models of the fins of the ancient fish Tiktaalik roseae and their relatives based on fossil data.

Tiktaalik roseae is thought to be an intermediary that evolved between aquatic and terrestrial animals.

The rays and prongs of this fish have undergone evolutionary changes to become bones and cartilage corresponding to the upper limb.

However, these fins and barbs are often not visible because they can crumble when fossils.

Researchers have used imaging software to recreate 3D models so that they can move, spin and shape the skeletons of Tiktaalik roseae .

The results show that the fin rays of this species are simplified and the overall size of the entire fin system is smaller than their previous generations.

The top and bottom of the fins have also become asymmetric and the ray rays are formed by pairs of bones.

The rays of the dorsal fin of the Tiktaalik roseae are many times larger than the rays in the belly of the fish , and show that this species has muscles that extend on the underside of the fin, just like the flesh of our palms, according to That can support them to lift body weight.

According to scientists, Tiktaalik roseae even ventured out of the familiar water environment to take short walks through shallow water and mudflats.