0
This is a very tentative list of transitional fossils. As new fossils are discovered and more is learned about the ones we have, this list is very likely to change, as the fossil record is far from complete, and far from producing a seamless lineage from one group to the next.
Remember that transitional fossils display features of two types of animals and are examples of the transition from one type of animal into another. They serve to "bridge the gap" in evolutionary history between two types of related animals. They can be identified by their retention of certain primitive traits in comparison with their more derived relatives.
Below is just a brief list containing a few examples of transitional fossils for each milestone in the development of life. Ideally, this list would only recursively include "true" transitionals, fossils representing ancestral specie from which later groups evolved. But due to the incomplete nature of the fossil record, most, if not all, of the fossils listed here represent extinct side branches, more or less closely related to the true ancestor. If you are interested in a certain group there is free information online where you can find the full list of transitional forms.
They are listed in transitional order. For example, Pikaia was the most invertebrate-like and Guiyu was the most fish-like.
Invertebrates to fish
These transitional forms had notochords and gills but were jawless:
Pikaia
Conodont
Haikouicthys
Arandaspis
Berkenia
Guiyu
Fish to tetrapods
These fossils display a mosaic of fish-like and amphibian-like features:
Osteolepis
Eusthenopteron
Pandericthys
Tiktaalik
Elginerpeton
Ventastega
Acanthostega
Icthyostega
Hynerpeton
Tulerpeton
Pederpes
Eryops
Labyrinthodonts to Modern Amphibians
They show archaic amphibian features and modern amphibian features:
Gerobatrachus
Triadobatrachus
Prosalirus
Viaraella
Eocaecilia
Amphibians to amniotes
These show features of early reptiles:
Proterogyrinus
Limnoscelis
Tseajaia
Westlothiana
Solenodonsaurus
Casineria
Hylonomus
Paleothyris
Synapsids to mammals
These show the transition from "mammal-like" reptiles to modern mammals:
Protoclepsydrops
Archaeothyris
Clepsydrops
Dimetrodon
Procynosuchus
Diictodon
Thrinaxodon
Cynognathus
Morganucodon
Yanoconodon
Archosaurs to dinosaurs
These reptiles had hips that were less sprawled and walked more upright:
Euparkeria
Proterosuchus
Postosuchus
Marasuchus
Asilisaurus
Spondylosoma
Eoraptor
Dinosaurs to birds
These had feathers but retained some reptile-like characteristics:
Pedopenna
Anchiornis
Scansoriopteryx
Sinornithosaurus
Microraptor
Archaeopteryx
Confuciusornis
Eoalulavis
Ichthyornis
Early artiodactyls to whales
These fossils show a progression from land mammals to modern whales:
Pakicetus
Ambulocetus
Kutchicetus
Artiocetus
Dorudon
Aetiocetus
Basilosaurus
Eurhinodelphis
Mammalodon
Early perissodactyls to modern horses
The ancestors of horses were small, with no hooves, but gradually grew larger:
Hyracotherium
Mesohippus
Parahippus
Merychippus
Pliohippus
Equus
Early primates to modern humans
They show the transition from early primates to great apes to early hominids:
Apidium
Aegyptopithecus
Pierolapithecus
Proconsul
Ardipithecus
Australopithecus
Homo habilis
Homo erectus
Homo sapiens (archaic subspecies)
Homo sapiens
What else can I help you with?
What is the importance of index fossils?
Index fossils are the fossils of short-lived species which, because of their short lives, can be used by scientists to identify the age of the rock strata in which they're found. (For example, if you know a certain species only lived in the Cambrian period, and you find some fossils of this species in some rock, then you know the other fossils you find in that rock must also have come from the Cambrian period.) Some examples of species that left behind index fossils, and their related historical periods, are:Billingsella corrugagta - Cambrian period, Palaeozoic eraCactocrinus multibrachiatus - Mississippian period, Palaeozoic eraScaphites hippocrepia - Cretaceous period, Mesozoic eraNeptunea tabulata - Quarternary period, Cenozoic eraSee the links below for more examples and info.
Are fossils examples of organic matter and why?
Yes, fossils are examples of organic matter because they are the preserved remains or traces of once-living organisms. Fossils can include bones, shells, teeth, and other organic materials that have undergone a process of mineralization or replacement with inorganic materials to become stone-like structures.
True or false the earliest known bird fossils are those of archaeopteryx?
True. Archaeopteryx is considered one of the earliest known bird fossils, dating back to the Late Jurassic period around 150 million years ago. It is a transitional species with both bird and dinosaur-like features.
What do fossilized tracks tell you about the reptiles that once lived in the canyon?
Well, the tracks are examples of trace fossils. Trace fossils are not fossils in the traditional sense. Instead, they are fossils of something other than the animal or plant's form, like a animal track or burrow, that tells us an animal has been there.
What do fossils feel like?
Fossils have layer upon layer of hardened tissue. Therefore they are quite rough in texture where the insides are more malleable. Depending on what the fossil is of some fossils give off a sour aroma. Most of the time animal fossils deteriate at a faster rate than fossils of humans or shells. Fossils are a unique study and I you study them further.
What are transitional forms?
Fossils or organisms that show the intermediate states between an ancestral form and that of its descendants are referred to as transitional forms. There are numerous examples of transitional forms in the fossil record, providing an abundance of evidence for change over time.
What is transitional marker?
Transitional markers are words used when writing that connect other words and create a nice flow. Some examples of transitional markers would be and, but, or and if.
What are some examples of words used to contrast statements?
Some examples of transitional words used to contrast statements are:butoryetstillratherthoughinsteadhoweverotherwiseconverselyalternativelynonethelessneverthelessnotwithstanding
What are some non-examples of fossils?
Non-examples of fossils can include but not limited to:•A seashell found on the beach•A piece of driftwood•A footprint that your dog left yesterday
How do plants fit in the evolutionary tree and why aren't there more transitional fossils?
Evolution is NOT real!
What two types of structures do transitional fossils show?
devried traits and ancestral traits
Did Darwin predict that the middle intermediate stages of evolutionary development would be found in transitional fossils?
Yes, Charles Darwin predicted that transitional fossils would provide evidence of the intermediate stages of evolutionary development. In his work, he emphasized the importance of finding fossils that illustrate gradual changes between species. He believed that these transitional forms would help demonstrate the process of natural selection and the gradual evolution of species over time. However, while many transitional fossils have been found since then, gaps still exist in the fossil record.
What are some examples for index fossils that begin with the letter T?
trilobites
What are some examples of non fossils?
Non-examples of fossils can include but not limited to:•A seashell found on the beach•A piece of driftwood•A footprint that your dog left yesterday
Ano ang examples ng transitional devices?
ibat ibang uri ng transitional divices
Finally next and meanwhile are examples of what kind of words?
They are examples of transitional words.
What are non examples of fossils?
Some examples of non examples of fossils are as follows: knobby rocks, beautiful stones, bones. All fossils are rocks, and if bone fossils are found they will be much heavier than normal bone.
