Summary to the Article - Essay Example

Summary of the article ‘A Devonian tetrapod-like fish and the evolution of the tetrapod body plan’ Certainly, the paper addresses certain key questions concerning the evolution of the limbed vertebrates called the tetrapods from sarcopterygian species that were mainly lobe-finned fish. This evolution occurred over an extensive period that is estimated to be in the latter stages of Devonian. About 385 to 359 years, ago, a major evolution occurred that has not only changed the physiological features of the tetrapods but also their morphological features.

In this respect, the paper mainly addresses the process of the evolution of this tetrapod-like fish over the years and the major physiological changes that accompanied such evolution. Another question that the paper addresses is the major geographical locations where the evolution supposedly took place and the location of the resultant fossils as discovered by archeologists. This is directly related to the adaptation to their current ecological niche. Although the results obtained need further research as stipulated by the recommendation, it is obvious that most of the tetrapods are found in the Arctic Canada where most of the evolution took place.

In this regard, the data presented by the paper closely coincide with the conclusion in that the body scales, lower jaws, and other features are closely comparable to the primitive sarcopterygians. It is however important to note that there are significant implications of the study for understanding tetrapod origins and evolution in that the study exposes the geological setting together with the morphological features of this kind of fish that has been discovered and in so doing the study suggests the possibility of life in shallow-water, subaerial, and marginal habitats.