The rapid evolution of lungfish durophagy

Xindong Cui; Matt Friedman; Tuo Qiao; Yilun Yu; Min Zhu

doi:10.1038/s41467-022-30091-3

Nature Communications (May 2022)

The rapid evolution of lungfish durophagy

Xindong Cui,
Matt Friedman,
Tuo Qiao,
Yilun Yu,
Min Zhu

Affiliations

Xindong Cui: CAS Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Matt Friedman: Museum of Paleontology and Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan
Tuo Qiao: CAS Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yilun Yu: CAS Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Min Zhu: CAS Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-30091-3
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13, no. 1
pp. 1 – 9

Abstract

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It is unclear how Lungfishes evolved durophagy, the consumption of hard prey, despite being the longest lineage of vertebrates with this feeding mechanism. Here, the authors describe exceptionally preserved fossils of Youngolepis from the Early Devonian, showing early adaptations to durophagy.

Published in Nature Communications

ISSN: 2041-1723 (Online)
Publisher: Nature Portfolio
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Science
Website: https://www.nature.com/ncomms/

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