Summary
Species like the coelacanth and ginkgo that resemble ancient lineages with few relatives.
In depth
They show little change over long periods but are not evolutionarily frozen; their genes still evolve. Examples: horseshoe crab, nautilus, tuatara and Welwitschia.
The term is misleading but draws attention to ancient lineages. Some have low diversification rates.
Example: ginkgo has changed little in form for 200 million years.
Living fossil is an informal term for species that resemble ancient forms known from fossils and have few close living relatives. Examples include the coelacanth (thought extinct for 66 million years until found in 1938), the ginkgo tree, horseshoe crabs, the tuatara, nautilus, lungfish and the Wollemi pine.
The term can mislead: these organisms have continued to evolve, especially genetically, and do not stay unchanged; they may show slow morphological change because they occupy stable niches, or because stabilising selection retains successful designs. They often represent long, isolated branches in the tree of life and deserve conservation.
Example: horseshoe crab blood is used to test medical products for bacterial toxins.
Remember: a living fossil is not a missing link.
Frequently asked questions
What is Living Fossils?
Species like the coelacanth and ginkgo that resemble ancient lineages with few relatives.
Which area of biology covers Living Fossils, and how advanced is it?
Living Fossils is one of the 52 topics in Taxonomy & Biodiversity. It is rated Beginner, so it suits learners who are starting out in biology. Related topics in this area include Evolutionarily Distinct Species, Phylogenetic Diversity, Extinction Rate Estimation.
Can you give an example of Living Fossils?
The coelacanth was thought extinct until found in 1938.
What should I learn before Living Fossils?
Living Fossils is a Beginner topic, so no earlier topic is required. Other Beginner topics in Taxonomy & Biodiversity that pair well with it include Taxonomy, Binomial Nomenclature, Taxonomic Hierarchy.
What topics are related to Living Fossils?
The closest topics to Living Fossils are Evolutionarily Distinct Species, Phylogenetic Diversity, Extinction Rate Estimation, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Living Fossils?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Living Fossils. To practise the whole of Taxonomy & Biodiversity, use the Taxonomy & Biodiversity quiz.
How is Living Fossils different from Evolutionarily Distinct Species?
Living Fossils: Species like the coelacanth and ginkgo that resemble ancient lineages with few relatives. Evolutionarily Distinct Species: Species with few close relatives, such as the tuatara, representing unique branches of evolutionary history. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Living Fossils step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Evolutionarily Distinct Species and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Taxonomy & Biodiversity quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.