New Hybrid Species Found

Scientists have discovered the fossil remains of a new animal species that appears to have been a cross between a fish and an early tetrapod.

The findings from this discovery are published in the April 2006 edition of the journal Nature.

This new species was given the name Tiktaalik, which means large, shallow-water fish.

The Tiktaalik has characteristics of both a tetrapod and a fish. Tetrapod characteristics include a skull, neck, and ribs. The fish characteristics include fins and scales.

Image Credit: Fossil fish predator had sharp teeth, a crocodile-like head and flattened body. Zina Deretsky, National Science Foundation

Read about this finding: New Fossils Fill the Evolutionary Gap Between Fish and Land Animals (National Science Foundation)