Living Fossil
살아있는 화석
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<speciesfyi-glossary slug="living-fossil"></speciesfyi-glossary>Definition
A species that has remained virtually unchanged for millions of years and closely resembles its fossil ancestors.
Detailed Explanation
Living fossils raise important evolutionary questions — have they truly not evolved, or have they changed in ways not reflected in their overall body plan? Coelacanths, horseshoe crabs, and ginkgo trees all fit the classic definition. Molecular analysis shows living fossils do accumulate genetic changes, but their morphology has been stable. Their persistence suggests either a highly stable ecological niche or developmental constraints on morphological change.