Forearm Quote by Neil Shubin
““Tiktaalik has a shoulder, elbow, and wrist composed of the same bones as an upper arm, forearm, and wrist in a human. When we study the structure of these joints to assess how one bone moves against another, we see that Tiktaalik was specialized for a rather extraordinary function: it was capable of doing push-ups.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Your Inner Fish by Neil Shubin, 2009
Tiktaalik’s limb structure shows a transitional stage between fish and tetrapods, highlighting evolutionary innovation for land movement.
In simple terms: Tiktaalik had human‑like shoulder and wrist, enabling push‑up motion.
Key Takeaway
Study transitional fossils to understand evolutionary steps.
Themes
evolution
anatomy
adaptation
Mood
curious
inquisitive
Type
scientific
educational
When to use this quote
- biology classes
- museum exhibits
- science outreach
Key Concepts
phylogeny
functional morphology
exaptation
Questions to Reflect On
- What does Tiktaalik tell us about the speed of evolutionary change?
- How do we reconcile gaps in the fossil record?
A Different Perspective
Evolutionary gaps can be misinterpreted without context.
