Quck answer
The Coelacanth is a fish that was thought to be extinct for millions of years until it was rediscovered in 1938. It has unique features such as an extra lobe on its tail and a hinged skull that allows it to eat large prey. Its fins are also used for stability and movement. The Coelacanth is a slow-moving fish that lives in deep-sea environments and has a low reproductive rate. Its discovery has provided valuable insights into the evolution of fish and the history of life on Earth.
Endangered Species
The coelacanth, an endangered species, provides a unique insight into the past as it has remained almost unchanged since prehistoric times. Approximately 65 million years ago, during the era of dinosaurs, the seas were filled with carnivorous fish that could grow up to 6.5 feet (2 meters) long, weighing around 200 pounds (91 kilograms). These mysterious creatures, called coelacanths (SEEL-uh-kanths), consisted of 90 species and had a tiny brain that occupied only 1.5 percent of the cranial space, with the other 98.5 percent being fat [sources: National Geographic, Smithsonian].
It was assumed that coelacanths went extinct alongside the dinosaurs. However, in 1938, one was discovered off the coast of East Africa, and in 1997, another species of coelacanth was found in Indonesia. Scientists suggest that the two groups were separated from each other for several million years [source: Smithsonian].
As coelacanths can live as deep as 2,300 feet (700 meters) below the ocean’s surface, it is challenging to ascertain their current population. Nevertheless, it is speculated that there are no more than 1,000 of the Indonesian-based species alive today, and the African-coelacanth population is also sparse. Both groups are on the endangered species list [sources: National Geographic, Smithsonian].
Despite their prehistoric heritage, coelacanths are not fit for human consumption. Their flesh tastes unpleasant, and it can make you sick due to its high oil, urea, and wax ester content. Furthermore, coelacanths have slimy skin and scales that ooze mucus [source: Bates].
Discovery of the Coelacanth
The African coelacanth was discovered by Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer and J.L.B. Smith.
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The discovery of the coelacanth was nothing short of miraculous, considering the two people responsible for it: Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer, a young curator at a natural history museum in East London, South Africa, and J.L.B. Smith, a chemistry professor and amateur ichthyologist who worked at Rhodes University in nearby Grahamstown. Although neither of them was an expert in ancient fish, they both knew they had stumbled upon something significant.
On December 22, 1938, the manager of a local trawler fleet called Courtenay-Latimer to ask if she wanted to examine a haul of fish caught that day, in case any were worthy of display in her museum. Among the haul, mostly consisting of sharks, was a fascinating blue limb-like fin attached to a heavily-scaled, blue-gray fish measuring 5-feet- (1.5 meters) long. The fish weighed 127 pounds (57 kilograms) and was alive when caught. Although neither Courtenay-Latimer nor the fishermen knew what it was, she sensed that it was significant and took it to the museum’s taxidermist. She also contacted Smith, a friend and honorary curator of fishes for small museums in the area, and sent him a description and a sketch of the fish [source: Tyson].
Smith was also captivated by the extraordinary fish and later wrote, “I told myself sternly not to be a fool, but there was something about that sketch that seized on my imagination and told me that this was something very far beyond the usual run of fishes in our seas.” [source: Tyson].
In the late 1930s in South Africa, Smith and Courtenay-Latimer corresponded about a mysterious fish that Smith had caught and sent to her. Unfortunately, the fish’s skeleton and gills, which were important for identification, were thrown out. However, Smith was able to determine that it was a coelacanth after receiving some of its preserved scales from Courtenay-Latimer. The fish was named Latimeria chalumnae in honor of Courtenay-Latimer’s role in its discovery. Despite not being tetrapod predecessors, coelacanths are important in understanding how creatures moved from water to land because of their four fins that resemble legs. They also have unique features such as a special hinge in their jaws and a notochord instead of a spine. Coelacanths are also considered one of the most important zoological finds of the 20th century. Sturgeon is another living fossil fish with retractable mouths and armor-like skin.
The article discusses four different types of fish found in different parts of America and the oceans. The Bowfin, also known as dogfish and grindle, can be found in freshwater in the Mississippi River basin and the Great Lakes. They are known for their fierceness and can eat other fish, snakes, small mammals, and even other Bowfins. Gars, also found in freshwater, are located in the southern U.S., Central America, Mexico, and the West Indies. They are similar to Bowfins in that they are aggressive and eat other fish, but they will also attack any fish in their way, even if they don’t intend to eat them. However, gar eggs are inedible and can be deadly to humans and other warm-blooded vertebrates. Hagfish, located in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, are mud-dwellers and are considered one of the most unappealing fish in the world. They feed on weak or dead fish by swimming into the fish’s stomach via the mouth and consuming the fish from the inside out. Finally, Sturgeon, found in both freshwater and saltwater in North America, are colossal fish that can grow up to 20 feet in length and weigh up to 400 pounds. They have odd retractable mouths and armorlike skin, making them look like fossil fish. Additionally, Sturgeon can live up to 100 years, and the beluga Sturgeon, found in the Caspian Sea, is renowned for its caviar.
The article also includes several different sections, such as “Lots More Information,” “Author’s Note: How the Coelacanth Works,” “Related Articles,” “More Great Links,” and “Sources.” The “Author’s Note” focuses on the coelacanth, and the author shares some interesting facts about this ancient fish. The “Related Articles” section includes different articles about the extinction of various animals, fossils, and endangered fish species. The “More Great Links” section provides links to different websites related to nature and animals. Finally, the “Sources” section lists the sources used to write the article.
FAQ
What is the Coelacanth?
The Coelacanth is a prehistoric fish that was thought to be extinct for millions of years until it was rediscovered in 1938. It is a deep-sea fish that can grow up to 6 feet in length and can weigh up to 200 pounds.
What makes the Coelacanth so unique?
The Coelacanth is unique because it is a living fossil. It is the only surviving member of a group of fish that lived 400 million years ago. It also has some unique physical characteristics, such as a hollow spine and a unique tail fin that allows it to swim in a more upright position.
What does the Coelacanth eat?
The Coelacanth is a carnivorous fish that feeds on a variety of deep-sea creatures, such as squid, crustaceans, and other fish. It has been known to swallow prey whole and has a powerful jaw that can crush shells and other hard objects.
What is the habitat of the Coelacanth?
The Coelacanth is found in deep-sea habitats around the world, typically at depths of 500 to 800 feet. It prefers rocky underwater terrain and can be found near underwater caves and crevices.
How does the Coelacanth reproduce?
Little is known about the reproductive habits of the Coelacanth due to its elusive nature and deep-sea habitat. It is thought to be a slow-growing and long-lived species, with females producing few offspring at a time.
What are the threats to the Coelacanth?
The Coelacanth is considered a vulnerable species due to its low reproductive rate and limited habitat. It is also at risk from deep-sea trawling and other fishing practices that can accidentally capture and kill the fish.
How do scientists study the Coelacanth?
Due to its deep-sea habitat, studying the Coelacanth can be difficult. Scientists use a variety of methods to study the fish, including remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and submersibles. They also study specimens that are caught accidentally by fishermen.
What can we learn from the Coelacanth?
The Coelacanth is an important species to study because it provides insight into the evolution of fish and other vertebrates. It also has unique adaptations that can inspire new technologies and designs.
Can the Coelacanth be kept in captivity?
There have been attempts to keep the Coelacanth in captivity, but they have been unsuccessful. The fish require specific deep-sea conditions and have a low survival rate in captivity.
What is being done to protect the Coelacanth?
The Coelacanth is protected under various international laws and agreements, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Efforts are also being made to reduce accidental catches of the fish through fishing regulations and protected areas.
What is the future of the Coelacanth?
The future of the Coelacanth is uncertain, but conservation efforts and continued research can help ensure its survival. Studying the Coelacanth can also provide valuable information about the deep-sea ecosystem and the evolution of life on Earth.
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