How did vertebrates evolve? When scientists describe the evolution of vertebrates, they most often present it as a transition from water to land. Once on land, vertebrates are described as evolving to occupy diverse habitats and lead very active lives. What are some of the adaptations that made these transitions possible?Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Jaws: The first vertebrates in evolutionary history are fish. The first fish did not have jaws: they sucked and grated the flesh of their prey rather than biting it. These fish include hagfish and lamprey. Fish that appeared later, including sharks and bony fish, have jaws. Jaws represent a much more effective and efficient mode of capturing, feeding and swallowing prey. Lungs and limbs: For vertebrates to succeed on land, they had to be able to breathe and move. These adaptations are observed for the first time in a primitive group of fish, of which there is a living example: the lungfish. Although they absorb oxygen primarily through the gills, they also have lungs. Their fleshy fins are supported by bones and they can walk around their habitats. Amphibians are thought to have evolved from fish like this. As their name suggests – “amphibian” comes from the Greek word “amphibian” meaning “double life” – amphibian adaptations truly reflect mixed habitats. Waterproof skin and eggs: To live exclusively on land, one must be able to avoid water loss. Subsequent adaptations in vertebrate evolution included skin which acts as a waterproof barrier. Coming from amphibians, reptiles are the first group of vertebrates to show this adaptation. Reptiles also have what is called an amniote egg. Amniote eggs contain their own water supply and are surrounded by a leathery or hard shell. Birds, which are known to have evolved from reptiles, also have amniote eggs. Their feathers are actually modified scales. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Personalized Essay Endothermy: Birds and mammals possess an adaptation known as endothermy (endo = internal; therm = temperature). This is what we generally call “hot blood”. This occurs when body temperature is regulated internally using heat provided by burning food as fuel. Endothermy allows a certain degree of independence from environmental conditions. Through this adaptation, birds and mammals have evolved to possess diverse ways of feeding, avoiding predators, finding suitable habitats, and reproducing. In the video, Dr. Douglas Zook highlighted an important idea. Often, people think of vertebrate evolution as a "ladder", in which earlier forms are replaced and improved by more modern forms. This is not how vertebrate evolution happened. From common ancestors, each group diversified into its own thriving lineages. The most primitive living fish is just as evolutionarily successful as the most recently evolved mammal – humans..