pentadactyl
/ˌpɛntəˈdaktɪl
/adjective Zoology
(Of a vertebrate limb) having five toes or fingers, or derived from such a form, as characteristic of all tetrapods.No single mutation can produce a pentadactyl limb of vertebrate type on a Drosophila....
- These morphological facts show that the pentadactyl limb arose after the fin-limb transition and is the product of the canalization of the phenotype of the archaic limbs.
- Others include pentadactyl feet and presence of a clavicle.
Derivatives
pentadactyly
- He pointed out, for example, that the developmental genetic explanation of the prevalence of pentadactyly assumes tetrapod monophyly.
- This was a very surprising discovery because pentadactyly had been assumed to be the normal condition in ‘early’ tetrapods.
Origin
Early 19th century: from penta- 'five' + Greek daktulos 'finger'.