Latimeria chalumnae
1
9.9
- proper noun
- Specialized
- A living Latimeria chalumnae was first identified off the coast of South Africa in 1938.
Examples
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The discovery of the Latimeria chalumnae amazed scientists who believed the species was long extinct.
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The Latimeria chalumnae is often called the living fossil.
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Researchers study Latimeria chalumnae to understand more about the evolution of vertebrates.
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Look at the Latimeria chalumnae!
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In 1938, scientists were thrilled to find a living Latimeria chalumnae off the coast of Africa.
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The Latimeria chalumnae is a remarkable fish that was once thought to be extinct for millions of years.
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Biologists conduct research on the Latimeria chalumnae to uncover secrets of its ancient lineage.
Synonyms
1
9.9
A rare deep-sea fish with thick fins like limbs thought to be extinct until 1938
Surface Forms
Morphology
Latimeria + chalumnae
This is a Latin binomial scientific name functioning as an arbitrary label for a species; the overall meaning (a specific coelacanth) is not compositionally derived from the parts. The second element 'chalumnae' is not a transparent English lexical item and even knowing 'Latimeria' as a fish would not allow a B1 learner to infer the full species meaning without prior exposure, so the expression is opaque.
Etymology
Latimeria chalumnae is named for Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer, the museum worker who first showed scientists the fish, and for the nearby 'Chalumna' River where it was found, so Latimeria honors the finder and chalumnae points to the place. That's why the name refers to the rare living 'coelacanth' that was long 'thought extinct' until 1938.