Knowra Indonesian coelacanth Indonesian coelacanth The Indonesian coelacanth (Latimeria menadoensis) is a rare marine lobe-finned fish known from deep waters around Indonesia. It is one of two living coelacanth species.
Coelacanth : A lineage of lobe-finned fishes represented today by two living species in the genus Latimeria. The Indonesian coelacanth is one of the two living members of this lineage.
Manado : A city in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, on the coast of the Celebes Sea. The species’ name and early scientific attention are tied to waters near Manado.
Coelacanth anatomy : The body structures characteristic of coelacanths, including fleshy paired fins and a hinged skull. These structures distinguish the Indonesian species from most living fishes.
North Sulawesi : An Indonesian province at the northern end of Sulawesi, facing the Celebes Sea. Confirmed records place the species in waters off this province.
Living fossil : An informal label for a living species that resembles ancient fossil relatives over long periods. The Indonesian coelacanth is often described this way, though the label can obscure ongoing evolution.
Latimeria : A genus of living coelacanths containing the Indonesian and West Indian Ocean species. This genus is the Indonesian coelacanth’s immediate taxonomic group.
Celebes Sea : A deep sea in the western Pacific Ocean bordered by Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The first recognized Indonesian coelacanth was caught in this sea.
Intracranial joint : A joint within the coelacanth skull that allows the front portion to lift during feeding. This hinge helps the fish open its mouth widely to capture prey.
Sulawesi : A large Indonesian island between Borneo, the Moluccas, and the Philippines. Its surrounding waters are the best-known part of the species’ range.
Coelacanth fossil record : The worldwide geological record of extinct coelacanth fishes, extending back hundreds of millions of years. Fossils provide the deep-time context behind the species’ reputation as ancient.
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