In paleontology, a Zombie taxon (plural Zombie taxa) or the Zombie effect1 is a colloqialism of Lazarus taxon because the species in question has been misinterpreted as having existed after its presumed extinction. It is actually belonging to or descended from the original, older taxon, but the fossil records for its discovery were subject to further scrutiny.23
An example of a Zombie taxon is a discovered fossil such as a dinosaur tooth that is washed out of sediments and re-deposited in rocks and/or sediments millions of years younger. This basic error in the interpretation of the age of the fossil leads to its title.4 The discovered fossil was at some point mobile (or "walking") while the original animal or plant had long been dead. When this occurs the fossil is described as "reworked".5
See also
Further Reading
- Weishampel, David B. et al (2004). The Dinosauria. University of California Press. ISBN 0520242092.
- Archibald, J. David; Fastovsky, David E. (1996). Dinosaur Extinction and the End of An Era. Columbia University Press, 672-684. ISBN 0231076258.
References
- ^ Archibald, David (2007-03-24), "Zombie Origins", New Scientist 2596: 27, http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19325961.300-zombie-origins.html, retrieved on 2008-07-17
- ^ "Panerozoic Patterns". University of Missouri. Retrieved on 2008-07-17.
- ^ Wignall, Paul (1992-01-25). "The Day The World Nearly Died". New Scientist. Retrieved on 2008-07-17.
- ^ Weishampel, David B.; Dodson, Peter; Osmólska, Halszka (2004). The Dinosauria. University of California Press, 679. ISBN 0520242092. Google Book Search link. Retrieved on 2008-07-17.
- ^ Archibald, J. David; Fastovsky, David E. (1996). Dinosaur Extinction and the End of An Era. Columbia University Press, 672-684. ISBN 0231076258. Chapter link. Retrieved on 2008-07-17.
