The coelacanth Latimeria chalumnae, a 400-million year old "living fossil fish," is the last remaining representative of a once widespread family of fleshy-finned (Sarcopterygian) coelacanth fishes. First discovered in 1938, the fish's significance lies in its relation to Eusthenopteron, believed by some scientists to have grown legs and come ashore some 360 million years ago, making it "the...

PBS offers this companion Web site to Ancient Creatures of the Deep, a recent NOVA documentary about the coelacanth, a fascinating living fossil. Numerous educational activities are provided, covering a range of grade levels. Students can discover how coelacanth anatomy is like that of no other animal alive (grades 3-12), learn about eight other living fossil fishes (grades 3-12), or "relive the...