South American Lungfish [Lepidosiren]

Description

Lepidosiren is the sole genus within the family Lepidosirenidae, represented by a single species known as the South American lungfish (Lepidosiren paradoxa). This genus is noteworthy for its adaptation to life in oxygen-poor water environments, a trait facilitated by its ability to breathe air using a highly specialized lung system. The South American lungfish exhibits an elongated, eel-like body, which can grow up to 125 cm in length. It has filamentous pectoral and pelvic fins that enable it to 'walk' along the bottom of water bodies. The species is primarily found in swamps and slow-moving waters in the Amazon, Paraguay-Paraná, and Essequibo basins of South America. Lepidosiren paradoxa plays a crucial role in understanding the evolutionary transition of vertebrates from aquatic to terrestrial life.

Species

South American Lungfish [Lepidosiren paradoxa]

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Taxonomy