Refine this word faster
Sarcopterygian
noun
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Any lobe-finned fish of the class Sarcopterygii, including the lungfish and coelacanths.
"[…] actinopterygians have 'ray fins' which are supported by a series of narrow cartilaginous or bony rods called radials, while sarcopterygians have 'lobe fins' supported by a single basal bone and with muscles that can modify the posture of the fin."
- 2 Any member of the clade that contains both lobe-finned fish and tetrapods (land vertebrates).
"2004, M. L. J. Stiassny, E. O, Wiley, G. D. Johnson, M. R, de Carvalho, 24: Gnathostome Fishes, Joel Cracraft, Michael J. Donoghue (editors), Assembling the Tree of Life, page 415, All sarcopterygians are characterized by the evolutionary innovation of having the pectoral fins articulating with the shoulder girdle by a single element, known as the humerus in tetrapods."
Etymology
From Sarcopterygii + -ian.
See also for "sarcopterygian"
Next best steps
Mini challenge
Want a quick game? Try Word Finder.