Tristichopteridae
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Tristichopteridae is a family of tetrapodomorphs from the Middle and Late Devonian. Some of them share some of the features of the elpistostegalians. The most well-known is probably Eusthenopteron.
| Tristichopteridae Temporal range: Middle - Late Devonian
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| Teeth of Platycephalichthys, in CosmoCaixa Barcelona | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Clade: | Eotetrapodiformes |
| Family: | †Tristichopteridae Cope, 1889 |
| Genera | |
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See below | |
A classic notion is that Eusthenopteron was able to crawl onto land using its fins. However, no evidence believes this and is believed by many to be false.
Description
changeThese fish were large, and some species could exceed three meters. The smallest forms (Tristichopterus) attained lengths of 30 cm, and the largest forms (Hyneria) could grow several meters long.
The pelvis had long, tapering pubic branches that met in a cartilaginous symphysis. The ventral fins contained the femur, tibia, and fibula. The lobed pectoral fins were usually robust. Tristichopterids had large, flat heads with sharp teeth.
Taxonomy
changeSome images
changeHere is a gallery of a few members of the Tristichopteridae:
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References
change- Thomson, K. S. (1968). "A new Devonian fish (Crossopterygii: Rhipidistia) considered in relation to the origin of the Amphibia". Postilla. 124.
