What are lobe finned fish with paddle like fins similar to land animals?

The lobe-finned fish group that has paddle-like fins similar to those of land animals is called the *Sarcopterygii*. This group of fish includes the coelacanths, lungfishes, and the extinct tetrapodomorphs, which are considered to be the ancestors of land vertebrates.

Sarcopterygians are characterized by their fleshy and lobed fins, which differ greatly from the ray-finned fins found in most other types of fish. These lobe fins are covered with scales and contain bone, which allowed early Sarcopterygians to support their bodies and move across land for brief periods. Furthermore, some Sarcopterygians, particularly lungfishes, have air-breathing structures like lungs, enabling them to survive in environments with low oxygen levels.

Coelacanths and lungfishes are two species of lobe-finned fish that have survived almost unaltered for millions of years. Coelacanths were thought to be extinct until a live specimen was discovered off the coast of South Africa in 1938. Meanwhile, lungfishes are found in various parts of the world and possess unique lung-like structures that allow them to breathe atmospheric air when living in shallow, stagnant water.

The similarities between lobe-finned fish and land animals, especially their paddle-like fins and adaptations for air-breathing, led evolutionary biologists to propose the theory of tetrapod evolution. According to this theory, the lobe-finned fish group, particularly the tetrapodomorphs, transitioned from water to land during geological time, giving rise to amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.