sarcopterygian

Noun

sarcopterygian (plural sarcopterygians)

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.1997, Michael J. Benton, Vertebrate Palaeontology, 2nd edition, Chapman & Hall, →ISBN, page 64
   • Many sarcopterygians have a lung as a respiratory organ.2012, Winand Brinkmann, Kenneth De Baets, editors, Paleontological Museum of the University of Zürich: Exhibition Guide, Paleontological Institute and Museum of the University of Zürich, →ISBN, page...
2. Any member of the clade that contains both lobe-finned fish and tetrapods (land vertebrates).
   • 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.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