Coelacanth

The best-preserved fossil of a coelacanth fish from ancient times, millions of years ago, has been discovered, according to new research published in the journal Nature Communications.

About Coelacanth

• Coelacanths are deep-sea fish found off the coasts of southern Africa and Indonesia. They can grow up to two metres in length. For a long time scientists thought they were extinct.
• Coelacanths are lobe-finned fish. This means that their fins have strong bones that are like the bones in human arms.
• Scientists believe they are more closely related to tetrapods (animals with a backbone and four limbs, such as frogs, emus and humans) than most other fish.
• The greatest influence on their evolution was not sea temperature or oxygen levels, but tectonic activity.
• The oldest known fossil is more than 410 million years old. However, this does not provide any specific information.