A New Order of Fishlike Amphibia From the Pennsylvanian of Kansas

"A New Order of Fishlike Amphibia From the Pennsylvanian of Kansas" by Theodore H. Eaton Jr. and Peggy Lou Stewart, is a scientific report chronicling the discovery of "Hesperoherpeton garnettense," a new amphibian species dating back to the Pennsylvanian period, which bridges the evolutionary gap between fish and terrestrial amphibians. This study offers a complete look into the skeletal traits of the specimen and its evolutionary significance. The authors share a detailed examination of its anatomy, including the skull, backbone, limbs, and chest structure. Through contrasting comparisons the authors draw parallels between rhipidistian fish and early amphibians, highlighting short digits, a distinctive chest structure, and large eye sockets that correlate with its small size. The study suggests "Hesperoherpeton" lived in lagoons with its small paddle-like limbs, adding to the timeline of amphibian origins and their adaptation from marine to land dwelling.