Page 26 - Dinosaur (DK Eyewitness Books)

Dinosaur evolution

DȪȯȰȴȢȶȳȴ ȴȦȦȮ ȸȰȯȥȦȳȧȶȭȭȺ ȸȦȪȳȥ and different
from humans, and yet, their skeletons are based on the
same plan as ours. Like us, they had a skull, a backbone, hip
bones, and bones to support their arms and legs. The reason for
these similarities is that both dinosaurs and humans evolved
FISHY FORERUNNER from the same prehistoric backboned animal. Evolution is the process
Panderichthys was a fish that lived about
380 million years ago. An animal like by which a species gradually changes over time. Certain traits allow
this was the ancestor of all tetrapods some animals to adapt and survive in a changing environment, and,
(four-legged, backboned animals). The
pectoral fins on its sides and pelvic fins over many generations, these ultimately form a new species. Those
on the underside of its body sprouted from that don’t adapt die out. For instance, from a fish with fins evolved
fleshy lobes (stalked structures) that were
strengthened by bones like those found four-legged animals that bred in water, and eventually on land. One
in our limbs. Its skull bones, ribs, and the
enamel covering its teeth were more like group of these animals became our mammal ancestors. Another group
those of tetrapods than fish. evolved into reptiles, and from sprawling reptiles came the dinosaurs.

THE FIRST CREATURES WITH LEGS
Acanthostega was one of the earliest tetrapods and one of the first
vertebrates (backboned animals) with recognizable limbs. It lived in
shallow water around 360 million years ago and had features found
Paddlelike in fish as well as those of tetrapods. Like fish, Acanthostega had gills
tail fin
and a tail fin. It had no true elbows, wrists, knees, or ankles. But
like most tetrapods, it had hip bones, limb bones, toes, and fingers.
Acanthostega Unlike fish, its spine was stiffened by interlocking vertebrae
(backbones), and its head moved separately from its shoulders.
Eight digits

ANCESTORS OF REPTILES
Westlothiana might have been one of the first
four-legged animals to live and breed on land.
Early tetrapods laid eggs in water, and the eggs
Westlothiana dried up when they were out of the water.
Then some began producing eggs protected
by a membrane called an amnion.
This group of animals, known as
amniotes, were the ancestors of
Five digits reptiles and mammals. Westlothiana
lived 330 million years ago and may
have been an early amniote.

Lizardlike tail

Sprawling
leg

Euparkeria
Leg
tucked in

Chasmatosaurus
A SPRAWLING WALKER REARING TO RUN
Crocodile-like Chasmatosaurus belonged to a group Agile archosaurs such as cat-sized Euparkeria were the
of reptiles called archosaurs (“ruling reptiles”). This descendants of the early, sprawling kinds. Euparkeria lived
group also included crocodiles and dinosaurs. With about 245 million years ago. It walked on all fours, but
limbs that stuck out sideways, Chasmatosaurus walked this reptile’s hind limbs were longer than its forelimbs and
in the sprawling way that lizards do. It lived about fairly well tucked in beneath its body. It probably reared
250 million years ago. to run on its hind limbs only, balanced by its long tail.

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