Question

All tetrapods share a variety of morphological features. These include a pair of bones (the ulna and radius and the tibia and fibula) in the epipodial segments of the forelimbs and hind limbs, digits on the end of each limb, an oval window (fenestra ovalis) in the skull opening into the middle ear, a stapes (ear bone), and several other skeletal features.

What formal resolutions to this problem of exceptions exist in epistemology or taxonomy? By this I mean how is it considered a valid statement that "tetrapods have four limbs" when in reality this is not true of all tetrapods?

Answer 1

While not all tetrapods have four limbs, the statement that tetrapods have four limbs is still considered valid because it represents the general trend in tetrapod evolution. Some tetrapods, such as snakes, have lost their limbs through evolutionary adaptations, but they are still considered tetrapods because they evolved from ancestors that had four limbs.

Step-by-step explanation:

Tetrapods are vertebrates with four limbs. While it is true that not all tetrapods have four limbs, the statement that tetrapods have four limbs is still considered valid because it represents the general trend in tetrapod evolution. Some tetrapods, such as snakes, have lost their limbs through evolutionary adaptations, but they are still considered tetrapods because they evolved from ancestors that had four limbs. This is similar to how humans are classified as primates even though not all primates have human-like features.