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Glite Dictionary
lobefin

lobefin

9.9
A mostly extinct fish with fleshy, lobed fins that look like small limbs
  • noun
  • /ˈloʊbˌfɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : lóbulo
  • Some lobefins are believed to be ancestors of the first land-dwelling animals.

Examples

  • The lobefin is of great interest to scientists studying the evolution of vertebrates.

  • Many lobefins are only known from fossils.

  • Most lobefins disappeared millions of years ago, leaving behind only a few fossilized remains.

  • The lobefin is an ancient type of fish.

  • Most lobefins disappeared millions of years ago, leaving behind only a few fossilized remains.

  • Some lobefins are believed to be ancestors of the first land-dwelling animals.

  • The lobefin is of great interest to scientists studying the evolution of vertebrates.

Synonyms

crossopterygian
vslobefin
  • Specialized
9.9

An extinct fish with thick fins that look like limbs and are known from fossils

is a common name version used for the same taxonomic group
lobe-finned fish
vslobefin
  • Specialized
9.9

A fish with thick, fleshy fins that look like small limbs, including living and fossil kinds

refers only to the narrower extinct order rather than the whole group

Surface Forms

lobefin singular
lobefins plural

Morphology

lobefin = lobe + fin (transparent) = lobe + fin

Meaning is directly composed from 'lobe' + 'fin' (a fin with lobes), so learners recognizing both parts can infer the term.

Etymology

Lobefin comes from the English parts lobe (a 'rounded part', as in 'earlobe') and fin ('fin' of a fish). So a lobefin is a fish with thick, rounded fins that look like 'lobes', which helps explain why these fish are linked to the early animals that moved onto land.