Coelacanth

The strange-looking coelacanth is one of the oldest species of fish in the world. It is considered by many to be an actual living fossil Known scientifically as Latimeria chalumnae, this fish was thought to have been extinct since the end of the cretaceous period over 65 million years ago.

Fossils of the coelacanth have been found that date back over 350 million years. But,against all odds, in 1938, a fisherman actually caught a live coelacanth off the coast of South Africa. A second specimen was captured in 1952 off the coast of the comoros Island off the eastern coast of Africa near Madagascar. Needless to say, this caused a sensation throughout the scientific community. Since then, live coelacanths have been sighted and photographed many times in the wild.

There are only two known species of coelacanths : one that lives near the Comoros Islands off the east coast of Africa, and one found in the waters off Sulawesi, Indonesia. Many scientists believe that the unique characteristics of the coelacanth represent an early step in the evolution of fish to terrestrial four-legged animals like amphibians.

The most striking feature of this "living fossil" is its paired lobe fins that extend away from its body like legs and move in an alternating pattern, like a trotting horse. Other unique characteristics include a hinged joint in the skull which allows the fish to widen its mouth for large prey; an oil-filled tube, called a notochord, which serves as s backbone;thick scales common only to extinct fish; and an electrosensory rostral organ in its snout likely used to detect prey.

Coelacanths are elusive, deep - sea creatures, living in depths up to 2,300 feet(700 meters) below the surface. They can be huge, reaching 6.5 feet (2 meters)or more and weighing 198 pounds(90 kilograms). Scientists estimate they can live up to 60 years or more.

Their population numbers are, predictably,not well known, but studies in the Comoros suggest only about 1,000 remain there. They are considered an endangered species.