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GeriatricHydralisk t1_jb7ptv0 wrote

The terrestrial version are called Tetrapods (literally "four feet"), which originated about 350 million years ago, with modern descendants being amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals (though some have subsequently lost tails like us, or feet like snakes).

However, these limbs are just modifications of pectoral and pelvic fins of our fishy ancestors. The true origin of this body plan is 435 million years ago, with gnathostomes, the jawed vertebrates. This is the origin of the two pairs of fins, which eventually became limbs.

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LowerEntropy t1_jbbk1vc wrote

Amazing. I searched for Gnathostomes and found this chart showing the evolution from sharks to mammals.

Sharks have no lungs! Crocodiles are further out in the tree than mammals. I want to subscribe to your newsletter.

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