Activity for The Origin of Tetrapods
Description
This activity explores the concepts and research presented in the short film Great Transitions: The Origin of Tetrapods. The film describes the discovery of Tiktaalik, a key fossil that illuminates the evolutionary history of four-legged animals.
The Origin of Tetrapods provides a first-hand account of the search for Tiktaalik, a creature with a mix of features common to fish and four-legged animals (tetrapods). Tiktaalik, along with a series of species that existed before and after, illuminates key evolutionary steps in the transition of life from water to land. The “Student Handout” probes students’ understanding of the key concepts addressed in the film. The “Educator Materials” document provides suggested pause points in the film with questions for students, background information, and detailed discussion points; a list of related resources and references; and an answer key for the “Student Handout.”
Student Learning Targets
- Describe how transitional fossils provide evidence of common ancestry between major groups of animals.
Estimated Time
Key Terms
evolutionary transition, fish, fossil, paleobiology, Tiktaalik
Primary Literature
Daeschler, Edward B., Neil H. Shubin, and Farish A. Jenkins Jr. “A Devonian tetrapod-like fish and the evolution of the tetrapod body plan.” Nature 440 (2006): 757–763. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature04639.
Terms of Use
Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.
Version History
NGSS (2013)
HS-LS4-1, HS-LS4-4, HS-LS4-5; SEP6
AP Biology (2019)
EVO-1.C, EVO-1.D, EVO-1.N, EVO-3.E, EVO-3.G, SYI-2.C; SP1, SP2
IB Biology (2016)
5.1, 5.2, 5.4, 10.3
AP Environmental Science (2020)
Topic(s): 2.6, 2.7
Learning Objectives & Practices: ERT-2.H, SP1, SP2
Common Core (2010)
ELA.RST.9-12.2, ELA.WHST.9-12.9
Vision and Change (2009)
CC1, CC2; DP1
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