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First Devonian tetrapod from Asia

Author

Listed:
  • Min Zhu

    (Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Per E. Ahlberg

    (Natural History Museum)

  • Wenjin Zhao

    (Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Liantao Jia

    (Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

The earliest tetrapods (vertebrates with limbs rather than paired fins) date from the Late Devonian Period (370–354 million years ago)1,2 — nine genera have been described, all of which are from the Euramerican supercontinent that comprises Europe, north America and Greenland, apart from a single Gondwanan genus, Metaxygnathus, from Australia3,4,5. Here we report the discovery of the first Devonian tetrapod from Asia, a finding that substantially extends the geographical range of these animals and raises new questions about their dispersal. These forms seem to have achieved worldwide distribution and great taxonomic diversity within a relatively short time.

Suggested Citation

  • Min Zhu & Per E. Ahlberg & Wenjin Zhao & Liantao Jia, 2002. "First Devonian tetrapod from Asia," Nature, Nature, vol. 420(6917), pages 760-761, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:420:y:2002:i:6917:d:10.1038_420760a
    DOI: 10.1038/420760a
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