Sarcopterygian

Quick meaning: Sarcopterygian is a noun meaning (biology) Any lobe-finned fish of the class Sarcopterygii, including the lungfish and coelacanths.

Meaning

(biology) Any lobe-finned fish of the class Sarcopterygii, including the lungfish and coelacanths.

More Meanings

1. (biology) Any member of the clade that contains both lobe-finned fish and tetrapods (land vertebrates).

Example Sentences

Many sarcopterygians have a lung as a respiratory organ.

[…] 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.

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.

Word Forms

• sarcopterygians

Synonyms for sarcopterygian

Depending on context, synonyms include lobefin.

Antonyms for sarcopterygian

Common opposites include actinopterygian.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include sarcopterigian, lobefin, ceratodontiform, actinopterygian, eotetrapodiform, coelacanth.

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