HYNERPETON: Transitions

Discovered in Pennsylvania (USA), Hynerpeton altered people’s notions of how Tetrapods (early land animals) lived on the land.  This proto-amphibian lived both in the water and on dry land.  Hynerpeton spent most of his time in water, but did come on the land for periods at a time.  In the Devonian Period (360 million years ago), Hynerpeton spent much of the time lurking in the watery reeds of inland wetlands waiting for his prey. 

Hynerpeton had a fin-shaped tail but also robust legs with eight toes on each.  Moreover, Hynerpeton had a primitive kidney, which is a sign of a permanent transition to life on land.  In his case, He was metamorphosing from a Tetrapod to being an Amphibian.

            Because of his eight toes, scientists believe that Hynerpeton was not a direct ancestor of modern land animals.  The five-toed body type is what many land animals adopted as the most effective way to navigate on land.  Although Hynerpeton was only a cousin, He still can show how the shift from living in the sea to on the land happened.

            Since Hynerpeton is a transitional animal, He can teach us about the process of change.  Hynerpeton understands that we may not see the end result, but that we should still “muddle through”.  He knows that one of his descendants will reach the end of the journey that He started.  To Hynerpeton, the process is as important as the beginning and the ending.  To those who get discouraged, He urges them to continue on.  When you get stuck, ask Hynerpeton to remind you why you went on this journey.

TIKTAALIK (Fish with legs): Answering Opportunity’s Knock

In 2006, an amazing discovery was made in Nunavut, Northern Canada – an ancient fossil of a fish with limbs.  Called “the fish that made humans possible”, Tiktaalik demonstrated how Fish transformed Themselves to live on the land.  The Nunavut Elders Council named this remarkable animal, “Tiktaalik” which their language means “large shallow-water fish”. 

            The world of Tiktaalik was one of rapid change.  During the Devonian Period of 375 million years ago, plants began to colonize the land.  As the plants expanded their territory, they stabilized the soil, and thereby created new habitats such as marshes and swamps.  Fish now had new places to raise their young and to obtain food.  In addition, the shallow waters also enticed Them to venture onto the shore in search for more food.

            Called a “fishapod”, Tiktaalik was a transitional animal between Fish and Tetrapods (early land animals).  When She went on the land, She used her limbs to prop Herself up and her “proto-lungs” to breathe the air.  Other non-Fish characteristics that Tiktaalik possessed were a defined skull and a neck.  Scientists believe that Tiktaalik hunted like a crocodile, lurking in the reeds, and then ambushing her prey.

            Once the plants created new environments on the land, Tiktaalik bravely ventured out to explore these new places.  Opportunity knocked and She answered.  Tiktaalik dared to go out into the unknown, and was changed for the better.  She had taken the beginning steps to becoming a land-dwelling animal.

            When you are hesitant about an opportunity, follow Tiktaalik’s example, and “go for it”.  Answer that knock at your door, and take the chance.  Since She went on land for a better life, let Tiktaalik be your guide for going into the unknown.  But remember that like Tiktaalik, you will be changed in ways that you may not have foreseen.

-------------