🦎 A fossil genus 🦎 An extinct amphibian

Ichthyostega

9.9

An early four-legged amphibian from the Devonian that lived in Greenland

noun
/ɪkˌθiːoʊˈstɛɡə/

Specialized

: Ichthyostega

The fossils of Ichthyostega provide important evidence of the transition from aquatic to terrestrial life.

Examples

Paleontologists believe that Ichthyostega had both gills and primitive lungs.
The fossil remains of Ichthyostega were discovered in Greenland.
In the Devonian period, Ichthyostega inhabited the regions that are now Greenland.
Many scientists study Ichthyostega to learn about early amphibians.
In the Devonian period, Ichthyostega inhabited the regions that are now Greenland.
Paleontologists believe that Ichthyostega had both gills and primitive lungs.
The fossils of Ichthyostega provide important evidence of the transition from aquatic to terrestrial life.

Surface Forms

Ichthyostega singular

Ichthyostegas plural

Etymology

Ichthyostega comes from Greek parts ichthys ('fish') and stegē ('roof' or 'cover'). A helpful way to remember it is 'fish with a roof' — the name points to an early animal with four legs that kept many fish-like features and a heavy skull, explaining its place between water and land animals.