Sarcopterygii: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Sarcopterygii is traditionally the class of lobe-finned fishes, consisting of lungfish and coelacanths. Most taxonomists who subscribe to the cladistic approach include within this group the subclass Tetrapoda, which in turns consists of all species of four-limbed vertebrates:

• Coelacanthimorpha
  • Coelacanthiformes
• Dipnoi
  • Ceratodontimorpha
• Tetrapoda
  • Amniota
    • Mammalia
    • Sauropsida
  • Amphibia
    • Batrachia
    • Gymnophiona

This level of taxonomy is in flux however; the membership of Sarcopterygii is likely to change, and it may even be discontinued as a classification.