The Epistemic Value of the Living Fossils Concept

Living fossils, taxa with similar members now and in the deep past, have recently come under scrutiny. Those who think concept should be retained argued for its epistemic normative utility. This article extends utility of living fossils to include ways which a taxon’s fossil status can serve as evidence other claims about that taxon. I will use insights from developmental biology refine these claims. Insofar considerations demonstrate concept, they support retaining using it biological research.