What is a Lazarus Taxon?

A Lazarus taxon is an animal or plant which disappears from the fossil record, presumably because it is extinct, and then reappears. In some cases, an animal which is thought to be totally extinct may be spotted and described alive, sometimes millions of years after the last fossil evidence of the species has vanished. This illustrates the unreliability of the fossil record; a special set of circumstances must come together for a fossil to form, making fossilization extremely rare.

This term references the New Testament story in which Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. In order to be identified as a Lazarus taxon, the fossil record must have a significant gap, indicating that the animal appeared to lapse into extinction for whatever reason before reappearing. Some examples of Lazarus taxa thought to be extinct which showed up alive include the takahe in New Zealand, the ivory-billed woodpecker, Mount Diablo buckwheat, and the coelacanth.

In most cases, when a Lazarus taxon is discovered alive after being previously thought extinct, it may be in a critical status. Individual representatives of the species usually survive because they found an isolated area, such as the remote valley where the takahe was found, and the gene pool may be extremely small. If the animal's habitat is disturbed, it could prove to be the permanent end of the species.

When a Lazarus taxon is found alive and kicking, it is often cause for great excitement among scientists. Lazarus taxa are interesting biologically because they lead people to speculate about what happened to the animal or plant and why, and because they can reveal clues about previous eras of life on Earth. Many people also find the re-emergence of species believed extinct to simply be exciting, as well they should; the existence of Lazarus taxa shows that the Earth always has a few surprises in store.

A closely related concept is the Elvis taxon, or Elvis species. An Elvis species is a look-alike; due to convergent evolution, it has developed a similar appearance and lifestyle to an extinct species. As a general rule, Elvis taxa are not biologically related to their extinct counterparts. Sometimes, an Elvis taxon may be misidentified as a Lazarus taxon, until research reveals the truth.

A Lazarus taxon refers to a group of organisms that disappears from the fossil record, only to appear again much later. This term is inspired by the biblical story of Lazarus, who was resurrected by Jesus. The reappearance suggests that the species was not extinct but rather unrecorded or living in an unexplored habitat.

A species is classified as a Lazarus taxon when it is found alive after being presumed extinct for a significant period, with no fossil records to indicate its continued existence. This classification often occurs when a living specimen is discovered or when new, conclusive evidence emerges that the species has survived unnoticed.

The coelacanth is a prime example of a Lazarus taxon. Thought to have gone extinct around 66 million years ago, this ancient fish was rediscovered alive in 1938 off the coast of South Africa. Its unexpected survival astonished the scientific community and provided invaluable insights into the evolution of fish and tetrapods.

The discovery of a Lazarus taxon is significant because it challenges our understanding of extinction and survival. It can offer unique perspectives on evolutionary processes, species resilience, and the completeness of the fossil record. Such findings can also influence conservation strategies and our knowledge of biodiversity.

The existence of Lazarus taxa provides evidence that some species can survive mass extinctions or adapt to extreme changes in their environment, which may not be evident in the fossil record. This can lead to revisions in evolutionary timelines and theories, highlighting the complexity and unpredictability of evolutionary pathways.

Human activities, such as deforestation, urbanization, and deep-sea exploration, can lead to the discovery of Lazarus taxa by disturbing previously unexplored habitats. While these activities can sometimes threaten species, they can also uncover organisms presumed extinct, offering a second chance for study and conservation efforts.