Figure 7. Gnathostome pelvic girdle evolution.

The cladogram is based on the trees in Zhu et al. [18], [20]. We adopt the grouping of Guiyu with Psarolepis [20] and the alternative positions (I and II) of Psarolepis (either a stem sarcopterygian or a stem osteichthyan) [18] as our working hypotheses. Drawing of placoderm pelvic girdle (Murrindalaspis in posterior view) from [8]. Dermal pelvic girdles (including plates and spines) in yellow; endoskeletal pelvic girdles in blue. Abbreviations: -dpg, loss of dermal pelvic girdle; dpg, dermal pelvic girdle; mono, monobasal pelvic fin articulation; poly, polybasal pelvic fin articulation.