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Study reveals coelacanth's misunderstood anatomy

Researchers identify ligaments mistaken for muscles in coelacanth anatomy.

July 30, 2025 at 06:00 PM

Hidden Muscles? No. This Prehistoric Fish Just Proved Evolution Got It Wrong

A new study reveals surprising findings about the anatomy of the coelacanth.

Prehistoric fish challenges long-held evolutionary beliefs

Researchers from the University of São Paulo and the Smithsonian Institution have revised our understanding of vertebrate evolution based on their recent study of the coelacanth. Once labeled muscles, many structures in this ancient fish are actually ligaments. This revelation reduces the previously estimated muscle innovations from 100% to just 13% for this species. The findings highlight that coelacanths share more similarities with cartilaginous fish and tetrapods than with ray-finned fish, which dominate modern aquatic ecosystems.

Key Takeaways

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The coelacanth has been mischaracterized for decades.

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Only 13% of previously identified muscles were accurate.

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The fish's muscles were actually ligaments.

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Coelacanths share more features with sharks than other bony fish.

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New findings could revise evolutionary timelines significantly.

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Misunderstanding coelacanth anatomy reflects broader issues in evolutionary research.

"The coelacanth turned out to be even more similar to cartilaginous fish than previously thought."

This reflects new insights on the coelacanth's evolutionary relationships.

"We now show this isn’t true. This only appeared at least 30 million years later."

This underscores how reinterpretation of evolutionary features can change understanding.

"Proper dissection preserves specimens for future research."

This emphasizes the critical need for careful scientific study, especially with rare species.

"Seeing each muscle and nerve firsthand allowed us to identify what was actually in the coelacanth’s head with certainty."

This showcases the detailed nature of their research and its importance.

This groundbreaking discovery could redefine our understanding of vertebrate evolution. It suggests that the coelacanth's feeding mechanisms were not only mischaracterized but also demonstrates how much we still have to learn about ancient species. As researchers delve deeper into these complex evolutionary stories, they confront the contrast between the ancient lineage of the coelacanth and the successful adaptations of ray-finned fish. This shift in perspective might lead to further revisions in evolutionary biology, influencing research priorities and funding in the field.