A hard, shiny, enamel-like substance that covers the scales and outer surfaces of some prehistoric fish.
From Greek kosme 'adornment, ornament' plus -ine (relating to or composed of). Named because it provides the shiny, decorative outer layer on ancient fish scales.
Cosmine is like the fish's equivalent of nail polish—it's a fossilized coating that paleontologists use to identify and classify ancient fish species!
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