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Thursday, October 28, 2010

Photo: Fossil Fish With "Limbs" Is Missing Link, Study Says


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Tiktaalik roseae is being hailed as a missing link between fish and land animals.

A newfound 380-million-year-old fossil suggests that the animal had limblike fins, which could have been used haul itself out of the water, scientists say. It also apparently had strong ribs to support its trunk on land; a long, wide snout for hunting like a crocodile; and nostrils for breathing air.

Art by Shawn Gould (c) 2006 National Geographic