Introduction: The evolution of locomotor adaptations throughout history has left an indelible imprint on the annals of evolution. This study focuses on the radical proposition that ancient fish possessed advanced shoulder stimuli resulting in a 'shrugging' motion, which subsequently evolved in terrestrial vertebrates.
Methodology: We embarked on a novel investigation of fossilised fish bones from Late Devonian and early Carboniferous periods, using advanced Computational Tomography (CT) scans and mystifying our peers with prehistoric piscine posture patterns.
Results: The quasi-scientific analysis revealed a surprising conclusion: Ancient fish were bona fida 'shruggers'! Their dorsal fins showed signs of movable articulation suggestive of shrugging, a first in aquatic craniate lineage.
Discussion: The revelation of mobile shoulder girdle dexterity in ancient fish poses countless questions and very few plausible answers. It appears that fishes may have been more emotionally expressive than previously thought. A shrugging fish is perhaps indicative of ancient, nature-based shrug-offs over feeding, mating, and mid-ocean standoffs.
Conclusion: Our understanding of evolution's intricacies only grows deeper with the confirmed humorous revelation of ancient fish shrugging. Perhaps, we have understimated our ancestors in accepting habitat changes passively. This paper asserts that evolution may have a sense of humor indeed.
Citations: 1. Brazeau, M., Castiello, M. (2023). 'Pharyngeal origin of the vertebrate pectoral girdle', Nature.
References: 1. Brazeau, M., & Castiello, M. (2023). Fossil evidence for a humorous evolutionary twist. Nature.
Based on: New analysis of ancient fish may explain how shoulder evolved