The primitive Tiktaalik is an extinct fish-like animal that is the earliest example of a vertebrated animal that transitioned from finned to limbed animals. Paleontologists describe how they study fossils to understand the history of life on earth and the evolutionary chain. Learn about the origin of Tiktaalik’s name, its characteristics, structure, and its adaptation to life on land; tetrapods; life in the Devonian period; evolution from fish to human; evolutionary mysteries that are still unsolved; and evolutionary implications for the future of humanity. Paleontology is vital to our modern world, the impact of climate change, and the planet’s future. Detailed graphics, diagrams and video images reinforce important concepts.