Sept. 28 (UPI) — Ancient fossils of a jawless freshwater fish appear to link the first sign of paired fins to the arm and leg precursor, Chinese and British researchers said in a new paper published Wednesday, according to the University of Bristol. .
The fossil revealed for the first time that the mysterious galeaspidae, a jawless freshwater fish, possessed paired fins. It shows the primitive state of the paired fins before they separate into pectoral and pelvic fins, which will evolve into arms and legs.
Gai the new fossils that preserve the entire frame of galeaspide.
Professor Donoghue said the discovery breathes new life into centuries-old speculation about the evolution of paired fins.
“This speculation about the ‘fin fold’ has been very popular, but so far it has lacked evidence to back it up,” Donoghue said in a statement. of embryonic fin progression in living vertebrates”.