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Ancient Creature of the Deep
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Program Overview
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NOVA chronicles the discovery
of a "living fossil," a fish called
the coelacanth that has remained
relatively unchanged since
prehistoric times.
The program:
recalls Darwin's prediction that some creatures would have not undergone any major adaptations due to selective pressures and would have remained relatively the same since prehistoric times.
relates the 1938 discovery of the coelacanth off the coast of South Africa by Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer.
tells the story of J.L.B. Smith, the scientist who identified Courtenay-Latimer's specimen as a coelacanth.
notes that many anatomical features of coelacanths have changed little since the Devonian period 400 million years ago.
examines the fossil record of the coelacanth.
relates the discovery of coelacanths around the Comoros Islands and near Indonesia.
compares the coelacanth to sharks and other types of fishes.
discusses the significance of the coelacanth in the study of evolution.
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