Lobe-finned fish belong to the class Sarcopterygii and are distinguished by their fleshy, lobed fins that are connected to the body by a single, robust bone. These fins are structurally similar to the limbs of tetrapods, highlighting their importance in the evolution of vertebrates onto land. Lobe-finned fish include both living species, such as coelacanths and lungfish, and numerous extinct forms that were crucial in the transition from aquatic to terrestrial life.
- Fleshy, lobed fins with a central bony axis (Sarcopterygii)
- Important evolutionary link between fish and tetrapods
- Include living coelacanths and lungfish, as well as many extinct species