In this article, we are going to delve into the exciting world of Coelacanthus. Throughout the pages that follow, we will explore different aspects related to Coelacanthus, from its origin to its most current applications. Coelacanthus is a topic that has captured the attention of millions of people around the world, and as we progress in our research, we will discover the reasons behind its fascination. Through interviews, research and testimonies, we will delve into the depth of Coelacanthus to understand its impact and relevance in today's society. Get ready to discover a new world through the eyes of Coelacanthus!
Coelacanthus Temporal range:
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Coelacanthus granulatus fossil | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Clade: | Sarcopterygii |
Class: | Actinistia |
Order: | Coelacanthiformes |
Family: | †Coelacanthidae |
Genus: | †Coelacanthus Agassiz, 1839 |
Species: | †C. granulatus
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Binomial name | |
†Coelacanthus granulatus Agassiz, 1839
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Coelacanthus, from Ancient Greek κοῖλος (koîlos), meaning "hollow", and ἄκανθα (ákantha), meaning "spine", is a genus of extinct marine coelacanths known from the late Permian period. It was the first genus of coelacanths described, about a century before the discovery of the extant coelacanth Latimeria.[1] The order Coelacanthiformes is named after it.
The only definitive species in this genus is C. granulatus from the late Permian (Wuchiapingian stage) Kupferschiefer of Germany and equivalent Marl Slate of England.[2][3]
The genus has long been used to group unrelated species of coelacanths, and several other species that were first referred to Coelacanthus were later reallocated to other genera.[2] Coelacanthus minor was considered by Woodward (1891) as potentially belonging to the Triassic genus Heptanema,[4] while Martin and Wenz (1984) considered Coelacanthus lunzensis a possible synonym of Garnbergia.[5] Coelacanthus madagascariensis from the Early Triassic of Madagascar was reattributed to the genus Rhabdoderma, and Coelacanthus evolutus is a synonym of Whiteia woodwardi.[6]
The following are considered species that likely do not belong to this genus due to either lack of phylogenetic analysis or incomplete remains, but have not yet been reclassified:[2]
Coelacanthus bears a superficial similarity to the living coelacanth Latimeria, though it was smaller, and had a more elongated head. Individuals grew up to 0.7 metres (2.3 ft) in length, had an elongate codavypter or supplementary tail lobe, and had small lobed fins, suggesting that Coelacanthus were open-water predators. The fin rays of the caudal fin are hollow, which gave Coelacanthus its name. The name is an adaptation of the Modern Latin cœlacanthus ("hollow spine"), from the Greek κοῖλ-ος (koilos; "hollow") and ἄκανθ-α (akantha; "spine"). These hollow spines are a typical feature of coelacanths.
Mikko's Phylogeny Archive on Coelacanthiformes