Vertebrates Collection (#37)

Arandaspis prehistoric fish, artwork. This extinct aquatic vertebrate lived in the Ordovician period, about 500 million years ago. Arandaspis was a precursor to true bony fish

Carboniferous amphibian, artwork
Carboniferous amphibian. Artwork of an Eryops amphibian (orange, lower centre) crawling among the swamp trees and vegetation that dominated the Earth during the Carboniferous Period

Artwork of a sabre-toothed cat (Smilodon sp. )
Sabre-toothed cat. Artwork of a sabre-toothed cat (Smilodon sp.). This powerful carnivore was close to the size of a large modern tiger

Xenacanthus sharks. Artwork of two Xenacanthus sharks swimming. This genus of prehistoric shark existed during the late Devonian through to the Triassic period (410-220 million years ago)

Fossilised fish, Priscacara serata
Fossil fish. View of the fossilised remains of a prehistoric fish Priscacara serata. This specimen has been particularly well-preserved, with the bony skeleton and fin rays clearly defined

Dinosaur cloning, computer artwork
Dinosaur cloning. Image 2 of 3. Computer artwork of a Tyrannosaurus rex (T rex) dinosaur embryo that has been cloned from the soft tissue remains inside a fossilised bone

Artwork of an archaeopteryx, the first bird
Archaeopteryx. Artwork of an Archaeopteryx, the first bird. It resembled a flying reptile with feathers. This small animal lived in the late Jurassic period of around 130 million years ago

Hunting sabre-toothed cat
Sabre-toothed cat (Amphimachairodus giganteus) protecting its kill of deer (Turiacemas sp.) from hyenas (Lycyaena sp.) and dogs (Canis cipio)

Sabre-toothed cats fighting, artwork. These predatory cats belonged to the genus Machairodus which thrived between 13 to 2 million years ago throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Africa

Fossilised fish. Spine of a fossilised Diplomystus fish. This extinct fish is related to modern-day herrings and sardines. This fish dates from the Eocene era, between 56-34 million years ago

Hyaenodon. Artists impression of the extinct prehistoric mammal Hyaenodon. This carnivorous predator lived during the late Eocene through to the Oligocene epoch, 41-21 million years ago

Archaeopteryx

Cladoselache sharks. Artwork of two Cladoselache sharks swimming. This genus of prehistoric shark existed during the late Devonian period (roughly 370 million years ago)

Megalodon prehistoric shark with human
Megalodon shark, computer artwork. A human swimmer is shown at top at the same scale. This enormous shark (Carcharodon megalodon) lived between around 20 and 1.2 million years ago

Indricotherium. Artists impression of a herd of Indricotherium (also known as Baluchitherium), extinct mammals that lived during the late Oligocene and early Miocene epoch, 20-30 million years ago

Megalodon prehistoric shark with elephant, artwork. Megalodon, Carcharocles (Carcharodon) megalodon, lived between around 20 and 1.2 million years ago, and is known from fossils

Dakosaurus, computer artwork. Dakosaurus was a marine crocodile that lived in the late Jurassic period, up to around 146 million years ago

Fossil collection, University of Texas
Fossil collection. Researcher Lyndon Murray holding a fossil skull in the palaeontology collection of the Texas Natural Sciences Center, University of Texas, Austin, USA.Photographed in 2007

Phoberomys pattersoni, prehistoric rodent
Phoberomys pattersoni. Artists impression of a giant rodent, Phoberomys pattersoni, based on fossil remains found at Urumaco, in Venezuela in 2000

Brontotheres. Artists impression of two Brontotheres (Brontotherium sp.), extinct mammals that lived during the Eocene epoch, 58-30 million years ago

Fossilised bird bone, SEM
Fossilised bird bone, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). This is cancellous, or spongy bone, which is found in the interior of bones

Drepanaspis sp. prehistoric fish
Prehistoric fish. Computer artwork of two Drepanaspis gemuendenensis fish on the seabed in the Devonian period (408-360 million years ago)

Stethacanthus sharks. Artwork of two Stethacanthus sharks swimming. This genus of prehistoric shark existed during the late Devonian and Carboniferous periods (370-345 million years ago)

Uintatherium. Artists impression of two Uintatherium (Uintatherium robustum), extinct mammals that lived during the Eocene epoch, 52-36 million years ago

Cretaceous bird, artwork
Cretaceous bird. Artwork of an Eoenantiornis buhleri bird in a tropical forest. This bird, now extinct, lived during the Early Cretaceous Period (146 to 100 million years ago)

Sabre-toothed cat chasing prey
Sabre-toothed cat (Machairodius aphanistus) chasing antelope (Miotragocerus pannoniae). Three-toed hipparion horses (Hippotherium primigenium) are running in the background

Strunius sp. prehistoric fish
Strunius sp. fish in the sea in the Devonian period (408-360 million years ago), computer artwork. These were onychodont lobe-finned fish

Fossilized skeleton of 9 metre whale, Peru
Fossilised skeleton of a 9 metre whale located at Sacaco, Peru. Now a desert, this region once lay on the ocean floor

Hybodus shark. Artwork of two Hybodus sharks swimming. This genus of prehistoric shark existed during the late Permian period until the beginning of the Cretaceous period (250-130 million years ago)

Dimetrodon pair, artwork. Dimetrodon (meaning two-measure tooth ) lived in the early Permian period, around 270 million years ago

Climatius sp. prehistoric fish
Climatius sp. fish in the sea in the Devonian period (408-360 million years ago), computer artwork. Climatius sp. fish were acanthodians, which were some of the earliest known jawed fish

Cretaceous birds, artwork
Cretaceous birds. Artwork of Confuciusornis sanctus birds in a tropical forest. This now extinct bird was common in the Cretaceous Period (146 to 65 million years ago)

Tiktaalik prehistoric fish, artwork
Tiktaalik roseae, computer artwork. This extinct lobe-finned fish lived during the Late Devonian period (375 million years ago). A Tiktaalik roseae fossil was found in the Canadian Arctic in 2004

Dimetrodon, artwork. Dimetrodon (meaning two-measure tooth ) lived in the early Permian period, around 270 million years ago

Ichthyostega, artwork
Ichthyostega. Computer artwork of an Ichthyostega around 350 million years ago during the Late Devonian period, in what is now the Canadian Arctic

Prehistoric wetland life, artwork
Prehistoric wetland life. Computer artwork of an Ichthyostega (right) emerging from a prehistoric floodplain around 350 million years ago during the Late Devonian period

Hybodus shark, artwork. This genus of prehistoric shark existed during the late Jurassic period (165-150 million years ago)

Prehistoric pond, artwork
Prehistoric pond. Computer artwork of life in and around a freshwater pond during the Upper Devonian period (around 360 million years ago). In the foreground are two Ichthyostega tetrapods

Connemara clingfish (Lepadogaster candollei) in clear water. This fish inhabits the intertidal zone. Photographed in Dorset, UK

Vertebrate embryonic development, artwork
Vertebrate embryonic development. Historical artwork showing the development of an embryo from cleavage (top left) to gastrulation (bottom right)

Brontotherium dinosaur, computer artwork. This dinosaur belonged to the same group as horses, rhinos and tapirs and lived during the Eocene epoch (58 to 30 million years ago)

Painted frogfish hunting
Painted frogfish (Antennarius pictus) hunting. All frogfish use a lure (centre right) dangling in front of their head to attract their prey. In some species the lure resembles a small shrimp or fish

Yellow goby (family Gobiidae). Photographed in the Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi, Indonesia

Fairy basslets over a reef. Fairy basslets (family Grammatidae) swimming over hard coral and feather stars. Photographed off Komodo National Park, Komodo, Indonesia

Black coral. Shoal of fish swimming over black coral (white). The living tissue of black coral (family Antipathidae) is brightly coloured (often white, as seen here)

Tonguefish on the seabed. Tonguefish (family Cynoglossidae) are often found mainly in brackish water, such as where rivers flow into the sea, but a few species are found in deep sea floors

School of black margrates, Anisotremus surinamensis, Ilha do Meio, Fernando de Noronha national marine sanctuary
Andre Seale / SplashdownDirect

Saddled butterflyfish, Chaetodon ephippium, Namu atoll, Marshall Islands (N. Pacific)
Andre Seale / SplashdownDirect

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"Exploring the Diverse World of Vertebrates: From Megalodon Sharks to Alpine Birds" Dive into the depths of ancient oceans with the mighty Megalodon shark and its modern counterpart, the great white, as they rule over their underwater kingdoms. Discover nature's wonders at Avalanche Creek in Glacier National Park, Montana USA, where stunning landscapes meet a thriving ecosystem filled with fascinating vertebrate species. Witness the mesmerizing glow of a lava steam vent at night in Halemaumau Crater, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - a reminder that even amidst volcanic activity, life finds a way for vertebrates to thrive. Marvel at Nevada Fall's cascading waters while admiring Half Dome and Liberty Cap in Yosemite National Park, California - an idyllic setting where diverse vertebrate species coexist harmoniously. Encounter the elusive Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), gracefully navigating through its natural habitat with stealth and precision - showcasing the beauty and adaptability of these remarkable vertebrates. Take a journey back in time to encounter prehistoric giants like the Megalodon shark or Leptictidium - creatures that once roamed our planet but have since become extinct, leaving behind only fossils as evidence of their existence. Explore Engraving after drawing by Sea lampreys artistically capturing their unique features; these jawless fish remind us that not all vertebrates conform to traditional body structures yet still play vital roles within ecosystems. Imagine encountering an ancient Woolly Rhinoceros roaming icy landscapes during Earth's distant past - reminding us how climate change can shape both habitats and survival strategies for various vertebrate species throughout history. Observe Rocky Mountain Elk braving harsh winter conditions in Canada's majestic Rockies; their resilience showcases how these magnificent mammals adapt to survive despite extreme weather challenges faced by many North American vertebrates.