Tetrapod: Difference between revisions

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Tetrapod

Tetrapods are a superclass of animals that includes all vertebrates with four limbs. This group encompasses a wide range of species, including amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The term "tetrapod" is derived from the Greek words "tetra," meaning four, and "pous," meaning foot.

Evolutionary History

Tetrapods evolved from lobe-finned fish during the late Devonian period, approximately 360 million years ago. This transition from aquatic to terrestrial life was a significant evolutionary step, allowing vertebrates to exploit new ecological niches on land. The earliest known tetrapods were primarily aquatic, but over time, they adapted to terrestrial environments.

Characteristics

Tetrapods are characterized by the presence of four limbs, although some species have lost one or more limbs through evolution. For example, snakes and some lizards have evolved to be limbless. Tetrapods typically have a skeleton that supports their body on land, and they possess lungs for breathing air.

Diversity

File:Biodiversity of Tetrapods by Sahney Benton and Ferry.gif

Biodiversity of tetrapods over time.

Tetrapods are incredibly diverse, with over 30,000 species. They are divided into four major groups:

Amphibians: This group includes frogs, toads, salamanders, and caecilians. Amphibians are known for their life cycle, which includes an aquatic larval stage and a terrestrial adult stage.

Reptiles: Reptiles include turtles, crocodilians, lizards, and snakes. They are characterized by their scaly skin and typically lay eggs with leathery shells.

Birds: Birds are warm-blooded tetrapods with feathers and wings. They are highly adapted for flight, although some species are flightless.

Mammals: Mammals are warm-blooded tetrapods with hair or fur. They are distinguished by their ability to produce milk to feed their young.

Examples of Tetrapods

The Northern leopard frog (Lithobates pipiens) is a common amphibian found in North America.

The Florida box turtle (Terrapene carolina bauri) is a terrestrial reptile native to the southeastern United States.

The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a small bird commonly found in urban areas worldwide.

Squirrels are small to medium-sized rodents found in many parts of the world.

Historical Context

The classification of tetrapods has evolved over time. The Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus was one of the first to classify animals in a systematic way in his work Systema Naturae (1735). Since then, the understanding of tetrapod relationships has been refined through the study of fossils and genetics.

Related Pages

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Short description|A superclass of animals that includes all limbed vertebrates}}
+== Tetrapod ==
-{{Taxobox
-| name = Tetrapod
-| fossil_range = [[Devonian]] – [[Present]]
-| image = Tetrapod evolution tree.png
-| image_caption = Evolutionary tree of tetrapods
-| regnum = [[Animalia]]
-| phylum = [[Chordata]]
-| subphylum = [[Vertebrata]]
-| superclassis = '''Tetrapoda'''
-}}
-'''Tetrapods''' (from Greek "four" and "foot") are a superclass of animals that includes all vertebrates with limbs. This group encompasses a wide variety of species, including [[amphibians]], [[reptiles]], [[birds]], and [[mammals]]. Tetrapods are characterized by having four limbs, although some have lost these limbs through evolution.
+[[File:Tetrapoda.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Illustration of various tetrapods.]]
-==Evolutionary History==
+'''Tetrapods''' are a superclass of animals that includes all [[vertebrates]] with four [[limbs]]. This group encompasses a wide range of species, including [[amphibians]], [[reptiles]], [[birds]], and [[mammals]]. The term "tetrapod" is derived from the Greek words "tetra," meaning four, and "pous," meaning foot.
-The evolution of tetrapods from their [[lobe-finned fish]] ancestors marks a significant transition in the history of life on Earth. This transition occurred during the late [[Devonian period]], approximately 360 million years ago. The earliest tetrapods were primarily aquatic, but over time, they adapted to terrestrial environments.
-[[File:Tiktaalik roseae.jpg|thumb|left|''[[Tiktaalik]]'', a transitional fossil between fish and tetrapods]]
+== Evolutionary History ==
-One of the most famous transitional fossils is ''[[Tiktaalik]]'', which exhibits features of both fish and early tetrapods. ''Tiktaalik'' had fins with bone structures similar to limbs, allowing it to support itself in shallow water or on land.
+[[File:Tetrapoda_PhyloCode_(en).svg|thumb|left|250px|Phylogenetic tree of tetrapods.]]
-==Anatomy and Physiology==
+Tetrapods evolved from [[lobe-finned fish]] during the late [[Devonian period]], approximately 360 million years ago. This transition from aquatic to terrestrial life was a significant evolutionary step, allowing vertebrates to exploit new ecological niches on land. The earliest known tetrapods were primarily aquatic, but over time, they adapted to terrestrial environments.
-Tetrapods are distinguished by their four limbs, which are typically used for locomotion. However, some tetrapods, such as snakes and certain lizards, have lost their limbs through evolutionary processes. The limbs of tetrapods are usually composed of a series of bones, including the humerus, radius, and ulna in the forelimbs, and the femur, tibia, and fibula in the hindlimbs.
-[[File:Tetrapod limb bones.png|thumb|right|Diagram of tetrapod limb bones]]
+== Characteristics ==
-Tetrapods also possess a [[vertebral column]] that supports the body and protects the [[spinal cord]]. The vertebral column is divided into regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and caudal. The number and structure of vertebrae can vary significantly among different tetrapod groups.
+Tetrapods are characterized by the presence of four limbs, although some species have lost one or more limbs through evolution. For example, [[snakes]] and some [[lizards]] have evolved to be limbless. Tetrapods typically have a [[skeleton]] that supports their body on land, and they possess lungs for breathing air.
-==Diversity of Tetrapods==
+== Diversity ==
-Tetrapods are incredibly diverse, with over 30,000 species. They are divided into several major groups:
-* '''[[Amphibians]]''' - This group includes frogs, toads, salamanders, and caecilians. Amphibians typically have a life cycle that includes both aquatic and terrestrial stages.
+[[File:Biodiversity_of_Tetrapods_by_Sahney_Benton_and_Ferry.gif|thumb|right|250px|Biodiversity of tetrapods over time.]]
-* '''[[Reptiles]]''' - Reptiles are characterized by their scaly skin and include turtles, snakes, lizards, and crocodilians.
-* '''[[Birds]]''' - Birds are warm-blooded tetrapods with feathers and are known for their ability to fly, although some species are flightless.
-* '''[[Mammals]]''' - Mammals are warm-blooded tetrapods with hair or fur and mammary glands for feeding their young.
-==Adaptations to Terrestrial Life==
+Tetrapods are incredibly diverse, with over 30,000 species. They are divided into four major groups:
-The transition from water to land required significant adaptations in tetrapods. These adaptations include the development of lungs for breathing air, changes in limb structure for supporting body weight on land, and the evolution of skin that prevents desiccation.
+* [[Amphibians]]: This group includes [[frogs]], [[toads]], [[salamanders]], and [[caecilians]]. Amphibians are known for their life cycle, which includes an aquatic larval stage and a terrestrial adult stage.
+* [[Reptiles]]: Reptiles include [[turtles]], [[crocodilians]], [[lizards]], and [[snakes]]. They are characterized by their scaly skin and typically lay eggs with leathery shells.
+* [[Birds]]: Birds are warm-blooded tetrapods with feathers and wings. They are highly adapted for flight, although some species are flightless.
+* [[Mammals]]: Mammals are warm-blooded tetrapods with hair or fur. They are distinguished by their ability to produce milk to feed their young.
+== Examples of Tetrapods ==
+[[File:Lithobates_pipiens.jpg|thumb|left|250px|A [[Northern leopard frog]] (''Lithobates pipiens'').]]
+* The [[Northern leopard frog]] (''Lithobates pipiens'') is a common amphibian found in North America.
+[[File:Florida_Box_Turtle_Digon3.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A [[Florida box turtle]] (''Terrapene carolina bauri'').]]
+* The [[Florida box turtle]] (''Terrapene carolina bauri'') is a terrestrial reptile native to the southeastern United States.
+[[File:Cuvier-33-Moineau_domestique.jpg|thumb|left|250px|A [[house sparrow]] (''Passer domesticus'').]]
+* The [[house sparrow]] (''Passer domesticus'') is a small bird commonly found in urban areas worldwide.
+[[File:Squirrel_(PSF).png|thumb|right|250px|A [[squirrel]], a common mammal.]]
+* Squirrels are small to medium-sized rodents found in many parts of the world.
+== Historical Context ==
+[[File:Linnaeus_-_Regnum_Animale_(1735).png|thumb|left|250px|''Systema Naturae'' by [[Carl Linnaeus]], 1735.]]
+The classification of tetrapods has evolved over time. The Swedish botanist [[Carl Linnaeus]] was one of the first to classify animals in a systematic way in his work ''Systema Naturae'' (1735). Since then, the understanding of tetrapod relationships has been refined through the study of [[fossils]] and [[genetics]].
+== Related Pages ==
-==Related Pages==
 * [[Vertebrate]]
 * [[Amphibian]]
@@ Line 45: / Line 61: @@
 * [[Mammal]]
 * [[Evolution of tetrapods]]
+{{Portal|Biology}}
 [[Category:Tetrapods]]
 [[Category:Vertebrates]]
-[[Category:Evolutionary biology]]