vertebrate evolution

Vertebrate evolution tracks how animals with backbones, like fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, developed over millions of years. It began with simple fish in ancient oceans, which gradually gave rise to land-dwelling animals as early vertebrates adapted to new environments. Over time, these creatures evolved features such as limbs, lungs, and complex brains, enabling diverse lifestyles and habitats. This evolutionary process was driven by genetic changes and natural selection, leading to the rich variety of vertebrate species today. Essentially, vertebrate evolution is the story of how backboned animals diversified and adapted through Earth's history.