Lungfishes [Dipnoi]

Description

Dipnoi, or lungfishes, are a freshwater order of Sarcopterygii, though their evolutionary lineage and physiological adaptations provide significant insights into the transition from aquatic to terrestrial life. Lungfishes are notable for possessing lungs in addition to gills, allowing them to breathe air and survive in water with low oxygen levels. While they are primarily freshwater and not marine, their ability to aestivate in dried-up river beds in a cocoon-like structure during drought conditions speaks to their unique adaptability and evolutionary significance. The marine connection is mostly historical and evolutionary, highlighting the transition of vertebrate life from sea to land.

Families

Taxonomy