coelacanth

Everyday

1. A coelacanth is a large, rare, deep-sea fish with thick fleshy fins, a very old kind of fish once thought to have died out with the dinosaurs. tree →
2. It is often called a «living fossil» because it looks much like its fossil relatives from millions of years ago. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on fossils, extinction and evolution, the coelacanth is famous because scientists knew it only from fossils until a fisherman caught a living one off South Africa. Its leg-like fins help show how fish are related to land animals. Phrases: «living fossil», «the coelacanth was rediscovered».

Examples

• The coelacanth was thought to be extinct for millions of years. tree →
• A fisherman caught a living coelacanth. tree →
• Scientists call the coelacanth a living fossil. tree →
• Coelacanths live in deep, dark water near caves. tree →
• Its fins move a little like legs. tree →
• We saw a model coelacanth at the natural history museum. tree →

Note

Countable. Tricky spelling and sound: written «coelacanth», said SEE-luh-kanth (the «oe» sounds like «ee»). «Living fossil» is a nickname; the fish has still changed over time.