A Devonian Tetrapod-like Fish and the Evolution of the Tetrapod Body Plan - Character List and Data Matrix

Oct 20, 2026

Upload by Aurelia

Supplementary information provides an extensive character list and accompanying data matrix for morphological comparison in a study focused on a Devonian tetrapod-like fish and the evolutionary development of the tetrapod body plan. The matrix encodes discrete anatomical traits across cranial, palatal, jaw, and intracranial regions as quantified states, covering elements such as parasymphysial plates, prearticular and angular relationships, tooth and fang patterns, choana presence, pineal foramen morphology, and skull-roof proportions. Additional entries document pectoral fin and fin-structure characters, dermal ornamentation, and various skeletal contacts, enabling standardized scoring across specimens.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatDOC

Pages6

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

Supplementary Information “A Devonian Tetrapod-like Fish and the Evolution of the Tetrapod Body Plan” Character List and Data Matrix All characters unordered Parasymphysial plate: 0 – long, sutured to coronoid, denticulated or with tooth row; 1 – short, not sutured to coronoid, denticulated; 2 – carrying tooth whorl Anterior end of prearticular: 0 – not forked; 1 – forked Prearticular and angular: 0 – separated by ventral exposure of Meckelian bone; 1 – in contact Prearticular: 0 – rear part with conspicuous horizontal ledge; 1 – rear part flat Number of coronoids: 0 – more than three; 1 – three Coronoid proportions: 0 – posterior coronoid same length as middle coronoid, or shorter; 1 – posterior coronoid significantly longer than middle coronoid Dentary tooth row reaches symphysis: 0 – yes; 1 – no Dentary fang pair: 0 – absent; 1 – present Number of fang pairs on posteriormost coronoid: 0 – one; 1 – two; 2 – none Tooth folding: 0 – none; 1 – generalized polyplocodont; 2 – labyrinthodont; 3 – dendrodont Infradentary foramina: 0 – always present; 1 – variable; 2 – always absent Number of fang pairs on ectopterygoid: 0 – one; 1 – two; 2 – none Proportions of entopterygoid: 0 – anterior end level with processus ascendens; 1 – anterior end considerably anterior to processus ascendens Entopterygoids meeting in midline: 0 – no; 1 – yes Posterior process of vomers: 0 – absent; 1 – short; 2 – long Anteromedial process of vomer: 0 – absent, vomers separated; 1 – present; 2 – absent, vomers in close contact Vomer proportions: 0 – not much broader than long; 1 – much broader than long Relationship of vomer to parasphenoid: 0 – no contact, or simple abutment; 1 – overlap; 2 – intimate suture with lateral edge of parasphenoid Internasal pits: 0 – undifferentiated; 1 – strong midline ridge but shallow pits; 2 – deep pear – shaped pits Posterior end of parasphenoid: 0 – denticulated field extends into spiracular groove; 1 – denticulated field does not extend into spiracular groove Enlarged anterior tooth on premaxilla: 0 – absent; 1 – present Choana: 0 – absent; 1 – present Orientation of anterior tectal and lateral rostral relative to external nostril: 0 – dorsal/ventral; 1 – posterior/anterior Width of ethmoid relative to length from snout tip to posterior margin of parietals: 0 – more than 80%; 1 – 70 – 80%; 2 – 50 – 70%; 3 – less than 40% Extent of crista parotica: 0 – does not reach posterior margin of tabular; 1 – reaches posterior margin of tabular Cosmine: 0 – present 1 – absent Pineal foramen: 0 – present; 1 – absent Location of pineal foramen/eminence: 0 – level with posterior margin of orbits; 1 – well posterior of orbits Parietals surround pineal foramen/eminence: 0 – yes; 1 – no Shape of pineal series: 0 – round or oval; 1 – kite shaped with distinct posterior corner Proportions of postparietal shield: 0 – not extremely wide posteriorly; 1 – extremely wide posteriorly Postparietals narrow to a point posteriorly: 0 – no; 1 – yes Posterior margin of tabulars: 0 – anterior to posterior margin of postparietals; 1 – level with posterior margin of postparietals Median postrostral: 0 – absent (postrostral mosaic); 1 – present; 2 – absent (nasals meet in midline) Number of nasals: 0 – many; 1 – one or two Frontals: 0 – absent; 1 – present Extratemporal: 0 – present; 1 – absent Contact between extratemporal and supratemporal: 0 – absent; 1 – present Supratemporal series: 0 – complete; 1 – tabular only Postspiracular: 0 – absent; 1 – present Posterodorsal process of maxilla: 0 – present; 1 – very weak or absent Jugal – quadratojugal contact: 0 – absent; 1 – present Relationship of jugal to orbit: 0 – contributes to orbital margin; 1 – excluded from orbital margin Contact between posterior supraorbital and lacrimal: 0 – absent; 1 – present Position of orbits: 0 – lateral and widely spaced; 1 – dorsal and close together Preoperculosubmand

FAQs

What is included in the supplementary information of this document?

It contains a character list and a data matrix defining morphological traits used for standardized scoring in the study.

How are anatomical features represented in the data matrix?

Each character is encoded as discrete states (typically numbered 0, 1, 2, or 3) describing specific trait conditions and morphologies.

Which major body regions and traits are covered?

The matrix spans cranial and jaw structures, intracranial and palatal features, and also includes postcranial elements such as pectoral fin and fin-related characters.

Oct 20, 2026

Upload by Aurelia