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212 / Paleozoic
Acanthostega
Acanthostega gunnari
Each forelimb carried eight digits, yet the animal was still mainly aquatic—digits evolved before true land walking.
- Time range
- About 365 million years ago
- Final stage
- Late Devonian
- Geographic range
- Channels and seasonal shallows · East Greenland
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Acanthostega?
Acanthostega (Acanthostega gunnari) was an extinct organism known from About 365 million years ago, with a range in Channels and seasonal shallows · East Greenland.
Life and ecology
Acanthostega had limbs and digits but retained internal gills, a fishlike tail fin and wrists and ankles poorly suited to bearing weight. Limbs supported and steered it among vegetation.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Acanthostega disappear?
Late Devonian ecological crises removed many aquatic tetrapod experiments while weight-bearing descendants diversified.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Acanthostega?
Greenland skeletons preserve eight-digit limbs, gill bones, spine and fin rays, directly showing its aquatic nature.
04 / SOURCES & FURTHER READING
Check the source record
Use the scientific name to compare taxonomy, occurrence records and the fossil record. Database coverage and classifications may differ.
05 / REVISION HISTORY
How has this record changed?
- Verified authoritative entity sources and added three responsive reconstruction sizes.
- Initial bilingual species record published.
06 / CORRECTIONS & ADDITIONS