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Ancient Footprints Reveal Fish walked Earth 400 Million Years Ago, Predating Known Land Vertebrates
HOLY CROSS MOUNTAINS, POLAND – A groundbreaking discovery in Poland pushes back the timeline of vertebrate land exploration by 10 million years. Researchers have unearthed over 240 footprints dating back 400 million years, revealing that lungfish – ancient fish possessing both gills and lungs – were actively walking on dry land far earlier than previously thought. The findings challenge existing narratives about the emergence of land-dwelling animals and suggest multiple aquatic species experimented with terrestrial movement.
The fossilized tracks, found in ancient sandstone quarries on Holy Cross Mountain, showcase a surprising diversity of gaits. Researchers documented evidence of walking, ambling, crawling, and even instances where the fish appeared to use their snouts for support, akin to a cane. Notably, the footprints also indicate a preference for either the left or right side, mirroring the handedness observed in human walkers.
These weren’t just any fish; they were lungfish, a group that still exists today in Australia, South America, and Africa, with remarkably unchanged physical characteristics. Measuring approximately one meter in length, lungfish possess elongated bodies and fleshy, finned limbs. Their unique ability to breathe both water and air through gills and lungs provides a glimpse into the evolutionary adaptations that eventually allowed vertebrates to colonize land. Interestingly, the lungfish’s dual breathing system is even linked to the origin of the human hiccup – initially a reflex to prevent water entering the lungs.
While these pioneering walking fish are not direct ancestors of tetrapods – the four-limbed vertebrates that include amphibians,reptiles,birds,and mammals – they were close cousins. This discovery suggests the transition from water to land wasn’t a singular event driven by a single lineage, but rather a period of broader experimentation by various aquatic creatures.The research team, comprised of Polish and German scientists, believes the findings necessitate a reevaluation of the established history of vertebrate origins.
