Curr Biol June 2016 PMID 27212403

The Oldest Actinopterygian Highlights the Cryptic Early History of the Hyperdiverse Ray-Finned Fishes.

Jing Lu, Sam Giles, Matt Friedman, Jan L den Blaauwen, Min Zhu

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What people are saying

Discussions reflect an interest in how the findings reframe understanding of early fish evolution, as shown in comments about the reanalysis of Meemannia and the bridging of gaps between lobefinned and ray-finned fishes. The tone and choice of words like 'cryptic' and 'highlight' suggest a recognition of the study's potential to reshape scientific narratives.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions recognize the significance of the research in revealing the early history of ray-finned fishes, with some emphasizing how it fills gaps in the fossil record.

InterestModerate interest

Participants show a moderate level of curiosity, often referencing the unexpected findings and evolutionary implications.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts include mentions of reexamining fossils and phylogenetic analysis, indicating active engagement with the scientific details.

ImpactModerate impact

There’s a shared perception that these discoveries could influence future research in paleontology and evolutionary biology.

Abstract in brief

The text discusses the ancient origins of ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii) and highlights recent discoveries that reveal their early diversity and morphology, especially in China, where fossils date back to the late Silurian period.
Researchers reexamined the fossil Meemannia from around 415 million years ago, initially thought to be a primitive lobefinned fish (Sarcopterygii), and found features suggesting it is more closely related to early ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii).
Phylogenetic analysis places Meemannia as an early-diverging ray-finned fish, helping to narrow the gap in the fossil record between lobefinned and ray-finned fishes and aligning the appearance of ray-fins more closely with lobefins during the late Silurian to early Devonian period.]

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All mentions

Inside the Evolutionary History of Early Vertebrates and Ray-Finned Fishes

This lecture explores the evolutionary history of vertebrates, focusing on ray-finned fishes. Using CT scanning, the presentation examines fossil evidence, including ancient species like Meemannia, to reveal early…

The Geological Society · Sep 2, 2020 1,283 views

Early Ray-Finned Fish Origins and Evolutionary Insights

This video explores the ancient origins of ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii), highlighting recent fossil discoveries and phylogenetic analyses that shed light on their early diversity and morphology, especially from…

Jackson Wheat · Dec 3, 2023 824 views

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The Oldest Actinopterygian Highlights the Cryptic Early History of the Hyperdiverse Ray-Finned Fishes: Current Biology www.cell.com/current-biol...

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