What are Early Tetrapods? This group consists of vertebrates that have four muscular limbs with discrete digits (fingers and toes) and other characters that distinguish them from the lobe-finned fish. Yet, the total combination of their features cannot be described as definitely amphibian, reptilian, or mammalian, and they cannot be easily placed in any one of these vertebrate groups. Some members of this group, such as Ichthyostega and Acanthostega, represent some of the first vertebrates capable of moving onto land.
First known fossil occurrence: Devonian.
Last known fossil occurrence: Cretaceous.
Fossils through time:
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