Any of a group of fleshy-finned bony fishes found in South America, Australia, and Africa. They have elongated bodies, and grow to about 2 m/6 ft, and in addition to gills have lungs with which they can breathe air during periods of drought conditions. (Genera
Lepidosiren,
Neoceratodus, and
Protopterus, subclass Dipnoi.)
Lungfish are related to the lobefins such as the
coelacanth, and were abundant 350 million years ago.
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