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A complete primitive rhizodont from Australia

Nature volume 394, pages 569–573 (1998)Cite this article

Abstract

Studies of the origin1,2,3 and developmental genetics4,5,6,7 of tetrapod limbs have focused attention on the need to identify the precise type of sarcopterygian (lobe-finned fish) fin from which limbs evolved. This can only be achieved through a phylogenetic analysis of sarcopterygians. Sarcopterygian fin skeletons vary in structure8,9; use of an inappropriate fin skeleton as a model limb precursor will lead to erroneous inferences about the evolution of morphology and the developmental pathways at the fish–tetrapod transition. The pectoral fin of the rhizodont sarcopterygian Sauripteris is strikingly limb-like and features prominently in discussions about the origin of limbs3,7,10,11,12,13,14. It is thus important to establish the phylogenetic position of rhizodonts. However, their anatomy is incompletely known15,16. Published phylogenetic analyses are based on poorly substantiated characters, such as the alleged presence of two external nostrils in the Australian genus Barameda17,18. Here we present, from the Upper Devonian period of Canowindra, Australia, the most primitive and by far the most complete rhizodont discovered so far. It has a single external nostril but possesses no other derived tetrapod-like features. Our new evidence shows that rhizodonts are more remote from tetrapods than are osteolepiform18 and elpistostegid19 lobe-fin fishes. Similarities between rhizodont fins and tetrapod limbs are thus probably convergent, and the pectoral fin of Sauripteris should not be used as a model limb precursor.

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Figure 1: Specimens AMF 9680, 100073 and 99900 of Gooloogongia loomesi.
Figure 2: Reconstructions of Gooloogongia loomesi, ?Strepsodus anculonamensis and Barameda.
Figure 3: Relationships between rhizodonts, Eusthenopteron, Panderichthys tetrapods.
Figure 4: Morphology of ?Sauripteris, Gooloogongia, Panderichthys and Acanthostega.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the Australian Museum for their award of a Visiting Fellowship to P.E.A. A. Ritchie for inviting us to work on the Canowindra material and J. Long and J. Jeffery for discussions and access to rhizodont material. Z.J. thanks J. Fairfax for financial support. This Letter is dedicated to the memory of S. M. Andrews.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Palaeontology Section, Australian Museum, 6 College Street, Sydney South, 2000, New South Wales, Australia

    Zerina Johanson

  2. Department of Palaeontology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK

    Per E. Ahlberg

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  1. Zerina Johanson
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Johanson, Z., Ahlberg, P. A complete primitive rhizodont from Australia. Nature 394, 569–573 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1038/29058

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