Vertebrate Paleontology

  1. Gnathostome Origins and Early Jawed Fishes
    1. The Gnathostome Revolution
      1. Jaw Evolution
        1. Mandibular Arch Transformation
          1. Hyoid Arch Modifications
            1. Feeding Advantages
            2. Paired Fin Evolution
              1. Fin Fold Theory
                1. Gill Arch Theory
                  1. Locomotory Benefits
                  2. Gnathostome Characteristics
                    1. Jawed Feeding Apparatus
                      1. Paired Appendages
                        1. Horizontal Semicircular Canals
                      2. Placodermi
                        1. Defining Characteristics
                          1. Bony Armor Plates
                            1. Joint Mechanisms
                              1. Jaw Structure
                              2. Major Groups
                                1. Arthrodira
                                  1. Dunkleosteus
                                    1. Coccosteus
                                      1. Feeding Ecology
                                      2. Antiarch
                                        1. Bothriolepis
                                          1. Benthic Lifestyle
                                          2. Ptyctodontida
                                            1. Shark-like Features
                                              1. Reproductive Biology
                                              2. Petalichthyida
                                                1. Primitive Characteristics
                                              3. Extinction and Legacy
                                              4. Acanthodii
                                                1. Spiny Sharks Characteristics
                                                  1. Fin Spines
                                                    1. Scale Types
                                                      1. Body Plan
                                                      2. Diversity and Distribution
                                                        1. Climatiiformes
                                                          1. Ischnacanthiformes
                                                            1. Acanthodiformes
                                                            2. Ecological Roles
                                                              1. Phylogenetic Position
                                                              2. Early Chondrichthyan Evolution
                                                                1. Cartilaginous Skeleton Evolution
                                                                  1. Primitive Sharks
                                                                    1. Cladoselache
                                                                      1. Stethacanthus
                                                                        1. Helicoprion
                                                                        2. Early Holocephalans
                                                                          1. Iniopterygians
                                                                            1. Petalodontiformes
                                                                            2. Adaptive Radiations

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                                                                          5. Early Vertebrate Evolution

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                                                                          7. Osteichthyan Diversification