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The discovery of the coelacanth

The discovery of the coelacanth

In 1938, a fish was found that was believed to have been extinct for 65 million years

Witness History · BBC World Service

December 10, 202510m 20s

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Show Notes

In 1938, South African museum curator Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer discovered a coelacanth, a fish that was believed to have been extinct for 65 million years.

It is thought to be our ancestor and the missing link between how fish evolved into four-legged amphibians.

This was produced and presented by Rachel Naylor, in collaboration with BBC Archives.

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