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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:
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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.
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relates the 1938 discovery of the coelacanth off the coast of
South Africa by Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer.
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tells the story of J.L.B. Smith, the scientist who identified
Courtenay-Latimer's specimen as a coelacanth.
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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.
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compares the coelacanth to sharks and other types of fishes.
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discusses the significance of the coelacanth in the study of
evolution.
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