Study Finds Coelacanth Lacks 11 Jaw Muscles Previously Thought Present

A 2025 study reported that the coelacanth lacks 11 jaw muscles that researchers had previously thought the fish possessed. The coelacanth is an evolutionarily ancient fish species that has often been nicknamed a living fossil. The study findings indicate a need to revise earlier anatomical models of its jaw structure.

Background on the Coelacanth The species belongs to a lineage that dates back hundreds of millions of years. It was once believed to have gone extinct until living specimens were discovered in the 20th century. This rediscovery contributed to its status as a subject of significant scientific interest regarding evolutionary biology.

The research determined that the coelacanth is missing the 11 jaw muscles previously attributed to it. This adjustment in understanding its muscular anatomy may affect interpretations of how the fish feeds and how its jaw functions.