Vertebrate Paleontology

  1. The Water-to-Land Transition
    1. Environmental Context
      1. Late Devonian Ecosystems
        1. Freshwater Environments
          1. Terrestrial Opportunities
            1. Climate Conditions
            2. Physiological Challenges
              1. Gravitational Support
                1. Axial Skeleton Strengthening
                  1. Limb Bone Robusticity
                    1. Joint Modifications
                    2. Aerial Respiration
                      1. Lung Development
                        1. Gill Reduction
                          1. Respiratory Pumping
                          2. Water Balance
                            1. Kidney Modifications
                              1. Skin Adaptations
                                1. Behavioral Strategies
                                2. Sensory Adaptations
                                  1. Vision in Air
                                    1. Hearing Mechanisms
                                      1. Lateral Line Modifications
                                      2. Reproductive Challenges
                                        1. Egg Protection
                                          1. Fertilization Methods
                                            1. Larval Development
                                          2. Key Transitional Forms
                                            1. Panderichthys
                                              1. Skull Flattening
                                                1. Fin Structure
                                                  1. Ecological Niche
                                                  2. Tiktaalik
                                                    1. Intermediate Features
                                                      1. Limb-like Fins
                                                        1. Neck Mobility
                                                        2. Acanthostega
                                                          1. Eight Digits
                                                            1. Aquatic Adaptations
                                                              1. Gill Retention
                                                              2. Ichthyostega
                                                                1. Terrestrial Features
                                                                  1. Limb Proportions
                                                                    1. Vertebral Structure
                                                                    2. Tulerpeton
                                                                      1. Six Digits
                                                                        1. Limb Orientation
                                                                      2. Early Tetrapod Radiation
                                                                        1. Devonian Tetrapods
                                                                          1. Ventastega
                                                                            1. Metaxygnathus
                                                                              1. Elginerpeton
                                                                              2. Carboniferous Expansion
                                                                                1. Temnospondyli
                                                                                  1. Lepospondyli
                                                                                    1. Anthracosauria
                                                                                    2. Ecological Diversification
                                                                                      1. Aquatic Forms
                                                                                        1. Semi-terrestrial Forms
                                                                                          1. Terrestrial Adaptations

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                                                                                      7. Osteichthyan Diversification

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                                                                                      9. Amphibian Evolution