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Welcome to the Tiktaalik Quiz, where you can test your knowledge and learn more about one of the most interesting extinct species! This animal is a combination of fish and tetrapod which is why one of its discoverers characterized it as a fishapod.
Take the quiz to test your knowledge of Tiktaaliks if you believe you know everything there is to know about them or if you want to learn more about this extinct species of “fishapods”!
The genus Tiktaalik is an extinct group of lobe-skinned fish that contained only one species classified in the group, Tiktaalik roseae. This animal began its evolution during the Late Devonian period, about 375 million years ago. The first fossil discovery was made in 2004 in Arctic Canada on Ellesmere Island in Nunavut, Canada. The researchers who made this discovery believe that Tiktaalik was in its transitional form during this time, having evolved from non-tetrapod vertebrates like the Panderichthys and early tetrapods like Acanthostega and Ichthyostega. This species was seen as the evolutionary link between fish and tetrapods.
One of its discoverers, evolutionary biologist Neil H. Shubin characterized it as a “fishapod” because like a fish, Tiktaalik possessed gills, scales, and fins. However, like a tetrapod, it also had rib bones, a mobile neck, and lungs. Additionally, it possessed unique “fishapod” features, such as fins with working wrist joints and half-fish, half-tetrapod ears.
This sole species was considering special because although it retained many fish-like qualities, it also possessed wrist bones, suggesting that it could support itself on its front limbs. The discovery of well-preserved pelves and a partial pelvic fin from Tiktaalik illustrated that the evolution of hind legs actually began as enhanced hind fins. Read on to discover more interesting facts about this extinct animal:
Their fins could likely bear their weight, allowing them to push its body out of the water and walk on land.
They possessed a strong ribcage, which further supports the theory of it having both lungs and gills.
Although its diet is largely unknown due to the lack of evidence, it is believed it was an omnivore.
Experts believe this species spend its time in muddy shallows of rivers and streams when it wasn’t on land.
Its modern equivalent in terms of looks is the alligator gar.
Melissa Bauernfeind was born in NYC and got her degree in Journalism from Boston University. She lived in San Diego for 10 years and is now back in NYC. She loves adventure and traveling the world with her husband but always misses her favorite little man, "P", half Chihuahua/half Jack Russell, all trouble. She got dive-certified so she could dive with the Great White Sharks someday and is hoping to swim with the Orcas as well.