A pentadactyl limb is a limb with five digits. (Penta = five and dactyl = fingers.) It is the five fingered limb in animals. The pentadactyl limb is mostly found among tetra pods (4 limbed animals). The pentadactyl limb is evidence of human ancestry. The pentadactyl limb was evolved my the paired fins of primitive fish however it is not found in modern fish. The limb growth of animals is caused by the same developmental genes. The pentadactyl limb is an adaptation for many different function depending on the species. The limb consists of three parts; The forearm, the upper arm and the hand or foot. This design is different depending on the species.
Fruit Bat -
The wing of the fruit bat is the forelimb part of the pentadactyl limb. Over time the forelimb has turned into wings for flying which consists of four digits. To make up the fifth digit, the fruit bat has a thumb that is free from the wing in order for the fruit bat to have the ability of grasping and holding onto things. (When sleeping upside down on high structure such as; trees or the inside of caves.
The wing of the fruit bat is the forelimb part of the pentadactyl limb. Over time the forelimb has turned into wings for flying which consists of four digits. To make up the fifth digit, the fruit bat has a thumb that is free from the wing in order for the fruit bat to have the ability of grasping and holding onto things. (When sleeping upside down on high structure such as; trees or the inside of caves.
Aye Aye -
As the Aye-Aye has a natural environment of living in high trees, they get their food from within the trunks and branches of these trees. In order to grasp this food they need to have a long middle finger which allows them to reach into the holes of the trees. Another reason the Aye-Aye has a pentadactyl limb is because they need to be able to hold onto things tightly and with a good grip when high up within their environment in order to keep safe.
As the Aye-Aye has a natural environment of living in high trees, they get their food from within the trunks and branches of these trees. In order to grasp this food they need to have a long middle finger which allows them to reach into the holes of the trees. Another reason the Aye-Aye has a pentadactyl limb is because they need to be able to hold onto things tightly and with a good grip when high up within their environment in order to keep safe.