#jlb smith institute of ichthyology

[fuckyeahcoelacanths]

Today in coelacanth collecting!

I've just picked up this amazing full-sized plate created to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the coelacanth!

It's from the JLB Smith Institute of Ichthyology, named after J.L.B. Smith, who was the ichthyologist that identified Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer's mysterious fish as a coelacanth. The JLB Smith Institute is now the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, and has the African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme Marine Platform, a collection of equipment and boats to help scientists study coelacanths.

This is much bigger than my Wedgwood coelacanth plate, but since it was under £10 from eBay, I am not complaining.

Just look at that little face!

And is this a coelacanth coat of arms? Amazing!