What are the Rhipidistia?
Q: What are the Rhipidistia?
A: The Rhipidistia are lobe-finned fish and include the ancestors of tetrapods.
Q: What other creatures are part of Sarcopterygii?
A: The Sarcopterygii subgroup includes the lungfish (Dipnoi) and the tetrapodomorphs.
Q: What is a monophyletic Rhipidistia?
A: A monophyletic Rhipidistia is a group that includes the ancestor of the entire Tetrapoda.
Q: What does "cladistic understanding" mean?
A: Cladistic understanding refers to the classification of organisms based on shared characteristics.
Q: How has understanding of Rhipidistia changed over time?
A: As cladistic understanding has improved, a monophyletic Rhipidistia is now understood to include the ancestor of the whole Tetrapoda.
Q: What is the significance of the Rhipidistia?
A: The Rhipidistia are significant because they include the ancestors of the tetrapods, which includes modern terrestrial vertebrates like amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
Q: What is the difference between the Rhipidistia and other subgroups of Sarcopterygii?
A: The Rhipidistia are a subgroup of Sarcopterygii that specifically includes the ancestors of tetrapods, while other subgroups include other specific types of Sarcopterygii like the lungfish.
