A coelacanth species discovered in British Columbia is the only known version of this ancient fish to boast a forked tail. The fast-swimming coelacanth Rebellatrix chasing smaller species of fishes in the Early Triassic ocean west of Pangaea.
The skeleton of the stiff, forked tail of Rebellatrix that indicates its active, high-speed, predatory lifestyle. Specimen in the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology.
The holotype and outline drawing of Rebellatrix showing the long body with forked tail. Specimen in the Peace Region Palaeontology Research Centre (PRPRC).
The largest specimen of Rebellatrix, though partial, shows that it grew upwards of 1 meter in length. Specimen in the PRPRC.
Reconstruction of the skeleton of Rebellatrix.
Ganoid Ridge within Wapiti Lake Provincial Park where fossil fish like these were collected. The area was once ocean off the coast of Pangaea.
A preserved coelacanth specimen at the Natural History Museum, in Vienna, Austria. Modern coelacanths sport a paddle-like tail.
