Lazarus taxon facts for kids
Imagine a type of animal or plant that scientists think has completely disappeared. Then, after many years, it suddenly shows up again! In paleontology (the study of fossils), this amazing event is called a Lazarus taxon.
The name "Lazarus taxon" comes from a story in the Gospel of John. In this story, Jesus is said to have brought a man named Lazarus back to life.
These "comeback" species appear in the fossil record. They disappear for a long time, then reappear later. This can happen for a few reasons:
- A species might have almost died out, but a small group survived somewhere hidden.
- The fossil record is not perfect. It's hard for living things to become fossils. So, a species might have been alive but just didn't leave any fossils for a while.
Scientists often explain that when a species' numbers get very low, it's much harder for them to leave fossils. Then, if their numbers grow again, they might start appearing in the fossil record once more.
How the Idea Started
In 1974, a scientist named Batten noticed something strange. Some types of animals and plants that were around in the Permian period seemed to vanish. But then, about 20 million years later, they reappeared in the Middle Triassic period.
Later, another scientist named Jablonski gave this idea a name: 'Lazarus taxon'. He used it for species that disappear from the fossil record and then show up again when conditions get better.
Amazing Comebacks: Living Examples
It's not just in fossils! Some living animals and plants have also made surprising comebacks after being thought extinct.
Here are some famous examples:
- Coelacanth (Latimeria): This ancient fish was believed to have died out 80 million years ago. But then, in 1938, a living Coelacanth was found off the coast of South Africa! It was a huge surprise to scientists.
- Monoplacophora (Molluscs): These molluscs were thought to have disappeared about 380 million years ago. However, living members were discovered in deep water near Costa Rica in 1952.
- Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia): This type of conifer tree was first known only from fossils. Scientists thought it was extinct. But in 1944, a small group of living Dawn Redwood trees was found in China.
- Mountain Pygmy Possum (Burramys parvus): This small marsupial from Australia was only known from fossils. It was thought to be extinct until a living one was discovered in 1966. It's Australia's only truly hibernating marsupial.
Images for kids
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Café marron
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Arakan forest turtle.
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See also
In Spanish: Taxón lázaro para niños
