Tiktaalik

Key Points
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"!
Quiz Questions
- What is the scientific name for Tiktaalik?
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- Tiktaalik roseae
- Tiktaalik canis
- Tiktaalik lupus
- Tiktaalik latrans
- What is the common name for Tiktaalik roseae?
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- Fishapod
- Lobe-finned fish
- Rose fish
- Tiktaalik
- When did Tiktaalik live?
-
- 500 million years ago
- 100 million years ago
- 250 million years ago
- 375 million years ago
- What was the main habitat of Tiktaalik?
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- Deserts
- Forests
- Saltwater environments
- Freshwater environments
- What was the average length of a Tiktaalik?
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- 12-15 feet
- 4-9 feet
- 9-12 feet
- 2-5 feet
- What was the primary diet of Tiktaalik?
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- Carnivore
- Omnivore
- Herbivore
- Insectivore
- What was the main prey of Tiktaalik?
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- Plants & animals
- Fish
- Small mammals
- Insects
- What was the main predator of Tiktaalik?
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- Mammals
- Birds
- Larger fish
- Reptiles
- What was the main distinguishing feature of Tiktaalik?
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- Colorful scales
- Long tail
- Sharp teeth
- Lobe-finned limbs
- What was the main purpose of Tiktaalik's lobe-finned limbs?
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- Walking
- Climbing
- Swimming
- Digging
- What was the main color of Tiktaalik?
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- Blue
- Red
- Brown
- Green
- What was the main body type of Tiktaalik?
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- Flat
- Elongated
- Streamlined
- Round
- What is the main purpose of Tiktaalik's flat body?
-
- Swimming
- Climbing
- Camouflage
- Walking
- What was the main purpose of Tiktaalik's sharp teeth?
-
- Digging
- Catching prey
- Climbing
- Chewing plants
- What was the main purpose of Tiktaalik's long snout?
-
- Catching prey
- Breathing
- Digging
- Swimming
Evolutionary History Of The Tiktaalik
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.
Interesting Tiktaalik Facts
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:


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Melissa Bauernfeind
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