Biology

Fossil bone histology reveals ancient origins for rapid juvenile growth in tetrapods

M. R. Whitney, B. K. A. Otoo, et al.

Discover how the rapid juvenile growth of the Early Carboniferous stem tetrapod *Whatcheeria deltae* challenges long-held beliefs about slow growth in ancestral tetrapods. This groundbreaking research by Megan R. Whitney, Benjamin K. A. Otoo, Kenneth D. Angielczyk, and Stephanie E. Pierce sheds light on the evolutionary journey of tetrapods onto land.

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Abstract

This study investigates the growth patterns of the Early Carboniferous stem tetrapod *Whatcheeria deltae* using bone histology. The researchers found evidence of fibro-lamellar bone, indicating rapid juvenile growth in *Whatcheeria*. This challenges the traditional view of slow growth in ancestral tetrapods and suggests that fast growth was present earlier in tetrapod evolution than previously thought. The findings imply that rapid juvenile growth may have played a significant role in the tetrapod invasion of land.

Publisher

COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY

Published On

Nov 03, 2022

Authors

Megan R. Whitney, Benjamin K. A. Otoo, Kenneth D. Angielczyk, Stephanie E. Pierce

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