A team of scientists from Northwestern University and Claremont McKenna, Scripps and Pitzer Colleges believe it was their vision that first prompted our ancient aquatic ancestors to start making the move out of water to land.
Upon studying fossil records showing eye size nearly tripled before the water-to-land transition, researchers hypothesize crocodile-like animals saw easier meals were available on land, prompting limbs to eventually evolve so they could get to them.
Additionally, the scientists believe the larger eyes and visual range through air may have eventually led to larger brains in early terrestrial vertebrates, giving them the ability to plan and not merely react like fish do.
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Source: Northwestern University