Journal article
The axial skeleton of Tiktaalik roseae
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS, v 121(15), pp e2316106121-e2316106121
09 Apr 2024
PMID: 38564638
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
The axial columns of the earliest limbed vertebrates show distinct patterns of regionalization as compared to early tetrapodomorphs. Included among their novel features are sacral ribs, which provide linkage between the vertebral column and pelvis, contributing to body support and propulsion by the hindlimb. Data on the axial skeletons of the closest relatives of limbed vertebrates are sparce, with key features of specimens potentially covered by matrix. Therefore, it is unclear in what sequence and under what functional context specializations in the axial skeletons of tetrapods arose. Here, we describe the axial skeleton of the elpistostegalian
and show that transformations to the axial column for head mobility, body support, and pelvic fin buttressing evolved in finned vertebrates prior to the origin of limbs. No atlas-axis complex is observed; however, an independent basioccipital-exoccipital complex suggests increased mobility at the occipital vertebral junction. While the construction of vertebrae in
is similar to early tetrapodomorphs, its ribs possess a specialized sacral domain. Sacral ribs are expanded and ventrally curved, indicating likely attachment to the expanded iliac blade of the pelvis by ligamentous connection. Thus, the origin of novel rib types preceded major alterations to trunk vertebrae, and linkage between pelvic fins and axial column preceded the origin of limbs. These data reveal an unexpected combination of post-cranial skeletal characters, informing hypotheses of body posture and movement in the closest relatives of limbed vertebrates.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- The axial skeleton of Tiktaalik roseae
- Creators
- Thomas A Stewart - Pennsylvania State UniversityJustin B Lemberg - University of ChicagoEmily J Hillan - University of ChicagoIsaac Magallanes - University of ChicagoEdward B Daeschler - Drexel UniversityNeil H Shubin - University of Chicago
- Publication Details
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS, v 121(15), pp e2316106121-e2316106121
- Publisher
- PNAS
- Grant note
- EAR 0207721 / National Science Foundation (NSF) EAR 0544565 / National Science Foundation (NSF) EAR 0544093 / National Science Foundation (NSF) EAR 0208377 / National Science Foundation (NSF)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science (BEES)
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001208878700003
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85189876497
- Other Identifier
- 991021864960504721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Multidisciplinary Sciences