Tetrapodomorpha



Tetrapodomorpha is a clade of vertebrates, consisting of sarcopterygians with a number of features of tetrapods. Primitive forms, like Tiktaalik, have been referred to as "fishapods" by their discoverers, since they were half-fish half-tetrapods, at least in appearance.

Tetrapodomorpha contains the true tetrapods and several groups of related lobe-finned fishes, collectively known as the osteolepiforms.

Among the characters defining the tetrapodomorphs are modifications to the fins, notably a humerus with convex head articulating with the glenoid fossa (the socket of the shoulder joint).

Tetrapodomorph fossils are known from the early Devonian onwards, and include Osteolepis and Panderichthys.

Taxonomy and phylogeny

 * Class Sarcopterygii
 * Subclass Tetrapodomorpha
 * Kenichthys
 * Order Rhizodontida
 * Superorder Osteolepidida (or Osteolepiformes)
 * Family Osteolepidae
 * Osteolepis
 * Family Tristichopteridae
 * Eusthenopteron
 * Family Megalichthyidae
 * Megalichthys
 * Family Canowindridae
 * (unranked) Elpistostegalia
 * Order Panderichthyida
 * Tiktaalik
 * Livoniana
 * Metaxygnathus
 * Ventastega
 * Superclass Tetrapoda


 * After Benton, 2004 :