Coelacanth: The 'Living Fossil' Older Than Dinosaurs, Still Thriving in Ocean Depths
Coelacanth: The 'Living Fossil' Older Than Dinosaurs, Still Thriving in Ocean Depths
- •The Coelacanth, a fish, has existed for over 400 million years, predating dinosaurs by millions of years.
- •Believed extinct for 66 million years, a living Coelacanth was discovered in 1938 off South Africa, shocking the scientific world.
- •Known as a 'Lazarus taxon,' it reappeared after disappearing from the fossil record, demonstrating unique evolutionary stability.
- •Its lobed fins offer clues to the evolution of fish into land animals (tetrapods), including humans.
- •Coelacanths live in deep ocean waters (700-2300 meters), can grow up to 2 meters, and are critically endangered.
