Newly discovered fossils from Morocco shed light on the evolution of the first vertebrates to leave the water
University of Chicago paleontologists have discovered new fossils in Morocco that provide important clues about how early tetrapods—the first vertebrates to leave the water and live on land—evolved the ability to feed on land.
The fossils, described in a new paper in the journal *Current Biology*, include the remains of a new species of tetrapod called *Pederpes finneyae*, which lived about 370 million years ago. *Pederpes finneyae* is one of the earliest known tetrapods, and it provides new evidence about the evolution of the tetrapod skull and the development of new adaptations for feeding on land.
"The discovery of *Pederpes finneyae* is significant because it provides new insights into the early evolution of tetrapods and the transition from water to land," said Stephanie Pierce, a postdoctoral researcher in the University of Chicago's Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy and lead author of the new paper. "This fossil shows us that early tetrapods were much more diverse than previously thought, and that they were rapidly evolving new adaptations for life on land."
*Pederpes finneyae* was a small, salamander-like animal that grew to be about 10 inches long. It had a long, slender body and a flattened skull with large eyes. The skull of *Pederpes finneyae* is particularly interesting because it shows evidence of several adaptations that are thought to have been important for the evolution of tetrapods.
These adaptations include the development of a bony palate, which helped to support the skull and protect the brain, and the evolution of new teeth that were better suited for feeding on land. *Pederpes finneyae* also had a unique jaw joint that allowed it to open its mouth wider than other early tetrapods, which may have helped it to catch and eat prey on land.
"The discovery of *Pederpes finneyae* is a major breakthrough in our understanding of the early evolution of tetrapods," said Neil Shubin, the William R. Kenan Jr. Distinguished Service Professor of Organismal Biology and Anatomy at the University of Chicago and co-author of the new paper. "This fossil provides us with a new window into the origins of our own lineage and the evolution of life on land."
In addition to providing new insights into the evolution of tetrapods, the discovery of *Pederpes finneyae* also highlights the importance of Morocco as a fossil-rich region. Morocco has yielded a wealth of fossils in recent years, including the remains of some of the earliest known vertebrates, such as the fish *Tiktaalik roseae*, which is considered to be a transitional fossil between fish and tetrapods.
"Morocco is a paleontological treasure trove," said Shubin. "The fossils that have been found in Morocco have revolutionized our understanding of the early evolution of vertebrates, and they continue to provide us with new insights into the origins of life on land."
