Mesanerpeton

Extinct genus of tetrapodomorphs

Mesanerpeton
Temporal range: Tournaisian
PreꞒ
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S
D
C
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Pg
N
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Sarcopterygii
Clade: Tetrapodomorpha
Clade: Stegocephali
Genus: Mesanerpeton
Smithson & Clack, 2017
Type species
Mesanerpeton woodi
Smithson & Clack, 2017

Mesanerpeton is an extinct genus of four-limbed stem-tetrapod from the Mississippian (Tournaisian) of Scotland. It contains a single species, Mesanerpeton woodi,[n 1] who based on a disarticulated specimen including a clavicle, vertebrae, and forelimb bones from the Ballagan Formation. The vertebrae are poorly-ossified and similar to Crassigyrinus, but the forelimb was robust. The shape and level of torsion present in the humerus are intermediate between Devonian stem-tetrapods and later Carboniferous tetrapods. This transitional condition, and the associated rerouting of the brachial artery and median nerve, may indicate that Mesanerpeton had a higher stride length and more efficient locomotion on land compared to its predecessors.[1]

References and notes

  1. ^ Smithson, Timothy R.; Clack, Jennifer A. (2017). "A new tetrapod from Romer's Gap reveals an early adaptation for walking". Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. 108 (1): 89–97. doi:10.1017/S1755691018000075. ISSN 1755-6910. S2CID 133836365.

Notes

  1. ^ which means 'Wood's intermediary crawler' named after its discoverer Stan Wood
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Tetrapodomorpha (Pan-Tetrapoda)
Gnathostomata
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Tetrapodomorpha
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Rhizodontida
Canowindridae
Megalichthyidae
Eotetrapodiformes
Tristichopteridae
Elpistostegalia
Stegocephali (Tetrapoda sensu lato)
    • see below↓
Rhizodus sp.

Osteolepis macrolepidotus Eusthenopteron foordi

Tiktaalik rosae
Stegocephali (Tetrapoda sensu lato)
Elginerpetontidae
Aistopoda
Oestocephalidae
Phlegethontioidea
Phlegethontiidae
Whatcheeriidae
Colosteidae
Adelospondyli
Adelogyrinidae
"Nectridea"
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Baphetoidea
Baphetidae
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Devonian genera
Embolomeri
Gephyrostegidae
Other "anthracosaurs"
Tetrapoda
(crown group)
Temnospondyli (Batrachomorpha?)
Reptiliomorpha (Pan-Amniota)
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    • includes Amniota
Phlegethontia longissima

Acanthostega gunnari Crassigyrinus scoticus Eucritta melanolimnetes Archeria crassidisca

Bruktererpeton fiebigi
Paraphyletic /
Polyphyletic groups
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