Libys

Libysis agenusofcoelacanthfish in the family ofLatimeriidae.Species ofLibyslived during the UpperJurassicperiod(Kimmeridgian-Tithonian,about 150 to 145 million years ago).

Libys Temporal range:Jurassic
Specimen ofLibysat the Burgmeister Muller Museum, Solnhofen
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Clade:	Sarcopterygii
Class:	Actinistia
Order:	Coelacanthiformes
Family:	Latimeriidae
Genus:	†Libys Münster, 1842
Species
Libys polypterus(Münster 1842) (type) Libys superbus(Zittel, 1887)

Description

Libyshad an exceptionally squat body, especially when compared to other coelacanths of the same period asUndinaandHolophagus.Libyscould reach 60 centimeters in length and was therefore a medium-sized coelacanth, with a short and high skull. The pectoral fins were quite long, while the tail was remarkably short and high

Distribution

Fossilsof these fishes have been found inGermany,in the famous deposits ofSolnhofen.

Species

• Libys superbusReis, 1888
• Libys polypterus

The genusLibyswas erected in 1842 by Muenster. The speciesLibys polypteruswas then established as the type species, on the basis of fragmentary remains. A second species,L. superbus,was described on the basis of complete large specimens, but most authors treat both as one species.

Libys superbusat theTeylers Museum,Haarlem

Libys superbusat theNaturhistorisches Museum,Wien

References

• Biolib
• The Paleobiology Database
• Paul H. LAMBERSA redescription of the coelacanth Macropoma willemoesii VETTER from the lithographic limestone of Solnhofen (Upper Jurassic, Bavaria)
• History of the Coelacanth Fishes by Peter L. Forey, Chapman & Hall, 1998.
• von Dr. Peter WellnhoferDer Quastenflosser Latimeria - ein "lebendes Fossil"