Living fossil roams the seas

These genomic resources make it possible to investigate extended gene regions in order to analyse evolutionary relationships with other animals. Genes of particular interest have been those involved in embryonic development and immunity. "There are two questions we are trying to answer", explains Amemiya. "How different are the coelacanth's genes from those of other fishes and tetrapods? And can the species be useful as a tool for vertebrate comparative genomics?"