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How many living lungfish species are there?

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lungfish African lungfish (*Protopterus annectens*).

There are six living species of lungfish (subclass Dipnoi) in the world today. These air-breathing fishes are categorized into two orders based on their physiological characteristics:1

Order Ceratodontiformes: This group possesses one functional lung and includes one living species, the Australian lungfish (Neoceratodus forsteri).2
Order Lepidosireniformes: This group possesses two functional lungs and includes five living species. This order is further divided into two families:2
- Family Lepidosirenidae: Contains one living species, the South American lungfish (Lepidosiren paradoxa).2
- Family Protopteridae: Contains one genus, the African lungfishes (Protopterus), which consists of four living species.2

These species are found in freshwater environments across Africa, South America, and Australia.1