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Considered extinct for about 66 million years, the coelacanth was rediscovered alive in 1938. Since then, the fish has taken a central position in research on vertebrate evolution and marine biodiversity.
The coelacanth is considered one of the most extraordinary animals ever studied by science. For about 66 million years, it was believed that the species had disappeared after the extinction event that also wiped out the dinosaurs.
However, this perception was completely changed in 1938, when a living specimen was found off the coast of South Africa. The discovery was considered one of the greatest surprises of modern biology and changed the understanding of vertebrate evolution.
According to researchers and widely recognized scientific records, such as those of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Natural History Museum in London, the reappearance of the species confirmed that organisms considered extinct can survive in little-explored environments.
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Why is the coelacanth known as a ‘living fossil’?
First of all, the coelacanth belongs to a group of fish that emerged approximately 400 million years ago.
For decades, its extinction was accepted by the scientific community. However, the discovery made in December 1938 completely transformed this hypothesis.
Since then, the animal has been called a “living fossil”, as it preserves anatomical features that have remained virtually unchanged over millions of years.
How did this fish manage to survive for millions of years?
Furthermore, experts point out that its survival is directly related to the habitat where it lives.
The coelacanth inhabits deep ocean regions, usually between 150 and 700 meters deep.
In these environments, there is little human interference and relatively stable conditions.
Similarly, the fish exhibits a slow metabolism and unusual reproduction.
These factors are also considered important for its characteristics to have been preserved over a long evolutionary period.
What did the rediscovery reveal for science?
Consequently, the reappearance of the coelacanth increased scientific interest in deep marine ecosystems.
Moreover, the discovery demonstrated that species considered extinct might still exist in little-explored areas.
Currently, two living species are recognized.
One of them occurs mainly in the western Indian Ocean.
The other is found in the Indonesia region.
Both remain rare and are monitored by conservation programs.
Characteristics that make the coelacanth a unique animal
Besides its evolutionary history, the coelacanth possesses characteristics that arouse great scientific interest.
Among them, the following stand out:
- Lobed fins similar to the limbs of the first terrestrial vertebrates;
- Length that can exceed 2 meters;
- Weight over 90 kilograms in some specimens;
- Longevity estimated in several decades;
- Extremely long gestation, which can last approximately five years.
Therefore, the animal is considered an important source of information about the transition of vertebrates from aquatic to terrestrial environments.
Does the coelacanth still face threats?
Despite living in great depths, the coelacanth still faces risks.
Mainly, accidental captures in fishing nets and environmental changes pose threats to their small populations.
For this reason, protection and monitoring measures are adopted in different countries.
Thus, preserving this living fossil means maintaining one of the most important species for understanding the evolutionary history of the planet, as highlighted by studies and records from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Natural History Museum of London.
