Coelacanth (Latimeria chalumnae)

The coelacanth is a 'living fossil' previously believed to have gone extinct at the time of the dinosaurs until the first scientifically noted rediscovery in 1938 (3). This amazing specimen was dubbed the 'most important zoological find of the century', and the species is a member of an ancient lineage that has been around for over 360 million years (4). Unlike any other living animal, coelacanths have a hinged joint in the skull, which allows the front part of the head to be lifted whilst feeding (4). They also have limb-like, lobed pectoral and pelvic fins and a unique tail consisting of three distinct lobes (5). Adding to the excitement surrounding the species is the ongoing controversy as to whether coelacanths or lungfish represent the closest living relatives to the first creature to walk on land (3). The scaly body is dark blue or brown in colour with white speckles, the pattern of which is unique to each individual and provides good camouflage against cave walls (3). A further unique feature is a receptor in the rostral organ of the head which can detect electric fields and may be used to locate prey or monitor its surroundings (5).

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Coelacanth
• (Latimeria
• chalumnae)
• evolution
• fish

[Wezzipooh]

no wonder they thought it was extinct, it barely moves! C'mon fish swim for your life!!!

[accel103]

relicanth brought me here

[corneliusofdark]

@Nancy99999 I too am curious why the coelacanth did not evolve. Maybe it is also possible the humans were humans from the start, and not really ape-like.

[sipes55]

@Nancy99999 These organisms have evolved. Fossil coelacanths are significantly different in that they are smaller and lack certain internal structures. Also, The theory of evolution does not say that all organisms must evolve. In an unchanging environment, natural selection would tend to keep things largely unchanged morphologically.

[endoftheworld29]

pokemons do exist!

[Nancy99999]

Not that I'm a creationist (I'm a big skeptic), but it's so confusing how these fish haven't even evolved ever since? Were the other types of fish then that DID evolve?

What made the other type of fish evolve into an amphibian, a reptile, a mammal and then to us?

I'm confused. So answer me this people....

[Dodge1455]

And to think some people think Prehistoric sea serpents are extinct as well? Or that Big foot doesn't exist either! Here is proof that new creatures thought to have gone extinct were gone for ever. Perhaps there are more creatures as yet to be discovered.

[Jerryguy1818]

It's amazing to think that this is the closest relative of the 1st creatures on earths surface.

[11RoAR11]

Thats so cool. We should have deep sea sanctuaries for creatures such as that.

[celt78]

Looks like a giant betta

[pistonpkm]

@accel103 and they say pokémon teaches us nothing : P

[Haiderspider123]

nope chuck testa!