- The term used for the development of these features is
called preadaptation.
- It is still under heavy debate but it was unanimously
concluded that these primative tetrapods were never meant to come onto
land, they developed tetrapod characteristics to survive better in water
and had no intention of actually living on land.
- This picture is an Acanthostega. Its preadaption
made it a better swimmer but it was not intended for this creature to ever
be able to walk on land even though it developed limbs.
- This was because the tail was long and boney therefore
would scrap along the ground and damage it, as well the limbs were not
strong enough to suport all the weight.
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