Indonesian coelacanth
| Indonesian coelacanth | |
|---|---|
| A preserved Latimeria menadoensis, Tokyo Sea Life Park, Japan | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Clade: | Sarcopterygii |
| Class: | Actinistia |
| Order: | Coelacanthiformes |
| Suborder: | Latimerioidei |
| Family: | Latimeriidae |
| Genus: | Latimeria |
| Species: | L. menadoensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Latimeria menadoensis | |
| L. menadoensis range in violet | |
The Indonesian coelacanth (Latimeria menadoensis, Indonesian: raja laut), also called Sulawesi coelacanth, is one of two living species of coelacanth, identifiable by its brown color. Latimeria menadoensis is a lobe-finned fish belonging to the class Actinistia and order Coelacanthiformes, classified under the family Latimeriidae and genus Latimeria. As a deep-sea predator, this species plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems.
It is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN, and it was quickly given protected status under Indonesian National Law Number 7/1999 after its discovery. The other species of coelacanth, the West Indian Ocean coelacanth, is listed as critically endangered. Separate populations of the Indonesian coelacanth are found in the waters of north Sulawesi, Papua, Southwest Papua, and North Maluku. This species offers insights into the early existence of fish and the first tetrapods.