Latimeria chalumnae, more commonly known as the coelacanth (SEE-lee-uh-kanth), was thought to be extinct until a biologist identified one off the coast of South Africa in 1939.
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On February 16, 1939, experts identified a coelacanth, a fish thought to have gone extinct 66 million years ago. Museum curator Marjorie Courtney-Latimer and Professor James Leonard Brierley Smith identified a coelacanth as the fish Courtney-Latimer pulled from a net off the coast of East London, South Africa.
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Term Part of Speech Definition Encyclopedic Entry biologist Noun scientist who studies living organisms.
cave Noun underground chamber that opens to the surface. Cave entrances can be on land or in water.
coast Noun edge of land along the sea or other large body of water.
Encyclopedic Entry: coast curator Noun person who designs, assembles, and manages an exhibit at a museum or other cultural center.
extinct Adjective no longer existing.
habitat Noun environment where an organism lives throughout the year or for shorter periods of time.
Encyclopedic Entry: habitat isolate Verb to set one thing or organism apart from others.
ocean Noun large body of salt water that covers most of the Earth.
Encyclopedic Entry: ocean oceanographer Noun person who studies the ocean.
reef Noun a ridge of rocks, coral, or sand rising from the ocean floor all the way to or near the ocean's surface.
Encyclopedic Entry: reef volcanic Adjective having to do with volcanoes.
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Editor
Caryl-Sue, National Geographic Society
Producer
Mary Crooks, National Geographic Society
Last Updated
Feb. 13, 2015
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