PREADAPTATION

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.

• Preadaptation is a reasonable explanation for the development of limbs, that is, a feature that developed for one purpose but later turns out to do something else much better.
• Life on land must have happened for another reason and not all at once.
• If it weren't for the adaptation of life on land, we would not be here today!