Latimeria

Latimeria is a genus of coelacanths, a lineage of ancient lobe-finned fishes often referred to as living fossils. It is the only living genus in the family Latimeriidae, within the order Coelacanthiformes of the class Sarcopterygii. The genus comprises two recognized extant species: Latimeria chalumnae, the African or East African coelacanth, and Latimeria menadoensis, the Indonesian coelacanth.

Discovery and taxonomy

Latimeria chalumnae was caught off East London, South Africa, in 1938 and described in 1939 by J. L. B. Smith. The genus Latimeria was erected for this species and named in honor of Marjorie Latimer. Latimeria menadoensis was discovered in 1997 near Manado, northern Sulawesi, Indonesia, and described as a distinct species in 1999.

Biology and habitat

Coelacanths inhabit deep marine environments, typically around continental shelves and slopes, often in caves or ledges. They have distinctive lobed pectoral and pelvic fins, a unique tail arrangement, and an intracranial joint. They are slow-moving and long-lived fishes with low reproductive output. Reproduction is ovoviviparous, with live young produced after internal gestation.

Distribution and conservation

Latimeria chalumnae occurs in the western Indian Ocean off eastern Africa; Latimeria menadoensis occurs in waters around Sulawesi and adjacent Indonesian regions. Both species are protected under CITES Appendix I. The IUCN Red List lists Latimeria chalumnae as Critically Endangered and Latimeria menadoensis as Vulnerable, reflecting their limited ranges and ongoing threats from bycatch and habitat disturbance.