Common Name:
Comorese Coelacanth |
Order:
Crossopterygii (formerly Actinistia) Family: Latimeriidae (formerly Coelacanthidae) Genus and Species: Latimeria chalumnae |
Species Introduction
The Comoros coelacanth (pronounced see-la-kanth) is a large lobe-finned fish that was first discovered in 1938. They are easily recognizable with their fleshy flipper-like fins and three-lobed tail. They can grow up to 2 m (6 ft) in length and can weigh up to 95 kg (200 lb). The body is covered with blue bony plates that are each themselves covered with dermal denticles (small tooth- like points on the skin). The bony plates also contain silvery streaks. The body and shape of the fish resembles that of fossilized fish and indeed was only known by fossils until its discovery. The spines of the fins are hollow and emit a large amount oil and slime. The shape of the fins allow them to swim in every direction, including upside-down and backwards. Internally, they are very unusual. The backbone is made up of a cartilaginous rod called a notochord that is only found in most vertebrates before birth. The heart is very simple and the kidneys lie on the floor of the abdomen instead of under the backbone. The kidneys were a great surprise to scientists because they were joined together instead of in a pair. This feature is unique and is found in no other animals. The stomach is just a large bag and the intestine has a spiral valve, a feature found in sharks. The swimbladder is sheathed in bony scales and is filled with fat. The skull is hinged and the skull cavity is huge. However, the brain itself is small, is embodied in fat and lies on two blood ducts.
Comoros coelacanths are thought to be long-lived.
The Comoros coelacanth (pronounced see-la-kanth) is a large lobe-finned fish that was first discovered in 1938. They are easily recognizable with their fleshy flipper-like fins and three-lobed tail. They can grow up to 2 m (6 ft) in length and can weigh up to 95 kg (200 lb). The body is covered with blue bony plates that are each themselves covered with dermal denticles (small tooth- like points on the skin). The bony plates also contain silvery streaks. The body and shape of the fish resembles that of fossilized fish and indeed was only known by fossils until its discovery. The spines of the fins are hollow and emit a large amount oil and slime. The shape of the fins allow them to swim in every direction, including upside-down and backwards. Internally, they are very unusual. The backbone is made up of a cartilaginous rod called a notochord that is only found in most vertebrates before birth. The heart is very simple and the kidneys lie on the floor of the abdomen instead of under the backbone. The kidneys were a great surprise to scientists because they were joined together instead of in a pair. This feature is unique and is found in no other animals. The stomach is just a large bag and the intestine has a spiral valve, a feature found in sharks. The swimbladder is sheathed in bony scales and is filled with fat. The skull is hinged and the skull cavity is huge. However, the brain itself is small, is embodied in fat and lies on two blood ducts.
Comoros coelacanths are thought to be long-lived.
Discovery
The coelacanths, which are related to lungfishes and tetrapods, were believed to have been extinct since the end of the Cretaceous period. More closely related to tetrapods than even the ray-finned fish, coelacanths were considered the "missing link" between the fish and the tetrapods until the first Latimeria specimen was found off the east coast of South Africa, off the Chalumna River (now Tyalomnqa) in 1938.[1] Museum curator Marjorie Courtenay Latimer discovered the fish among the catch of a local fisher, Captain Hendrick Goosen, on December 23, 1938.[1] A local chemistry professor, J. L. B. Smith, confirmed the fish's importance with a famous cable: " "MOST IMPORTANT PRESERVE SKELETON AND GILLS = FISH DESCRIBED."
The discovery of a species still living, when they were believed to have gone extinct 65 million years ago, makes the coelacanth the most well-known example of a Lazarus taxon, a species that seems to have disappeared from the fossil record only to reappear much later. Since 1938, Latimeria chalumnae have been found in the Comoros, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar, and in iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Kwazulu-Natal in South Africa.
The coelacanth has no real commercial value, apart from being coveted by museums and private collectors. As a food fish the coelacanth is almost worthless as its tissues exude oils that give the flesh a foul flavor. The continued survivability of the coelacanth may be at threat due to commercial deep-sea trawling.
Natural Habitat:
The species, Comoros coelacanth is a benthic fish and not of the true deep waters. They live 200 m (650 ft) below the sea level. The first specimen was caught off South Africa and is the only one to be found in that area. All the rest have been found in the waters surrounding the Comoro Islands near Madagascar. They are basically endemic to a specific population in an area and do not migrate from their natural territory.
Fossilized coelacanths of various extinct species have been found on every continent but Antarctica.
Natural Diet:
The Comoros coelacanth feeds on small benthic fish, such as cardinalfish and lanternfish. They also prey upon cuttlefish. The fin appendages are thought to be used to creep along the seabed on their flipper-like fins to stalk their food.
Breeding Instincts
Very little is known about this species breeding habits. However, it is known that they produce only about five to twenty-six eggs at a time. The eggs hatch inside the female and the female gives birth to the young. This is one surprising fact about this primitive fish.
Natural Enemies
Comoros Coelacanths are slow reproducers and are therefore very sensitive to over hunting. They have no known natural predators. The fishermen of Madagascar fish them regularly and use them as food after being salted and dried. The scales are used as sandpaper. Coelacanths are captured by scientists because of their peculiarity and they are also wanted as museum specimens. They are also sought after for their oil which is thought to have life-extending capabilities. They are considered to be an endangered species.
Comoros Coelacanths are slow reproducers and are therefore very sensitive to over hunting. They have no known natural predators. The fishermen of Madagascar fish them regularly and use them as food after being salted and dried. The scales are used as sandpaper. Coelacanths are captured by scientists because of their peculiarity and they are also wanted as museum specimens. They are also sought after for their oil which is thought to have life-extending capabilities. They are considered to be an endangered species.
In The Aquarium
Except for educational purposes permits received by Museums, Public Zoos and Aquariums commercial trade on the two species in this genus are banned for commercial trade due to their endangered status. Coelacanths are listed under Appendix 1 of Cites (Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species
Most of the Ichthylogical Studies of this species has been done in the wild or museums.
