Lazarus taxon

noun

A taxon that disappears from the fossil record, suggesting extinction, only to reappear later.

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Meanings

nounLazarus taxon (plural Lazarus taxa)

plural Lazarus taxa

  1. biologyA taxon that disappears from the fossil record, suggesting extinction, only to reappear later.

Origin

Referring to the Biblical story of Lazarus, who was raised from the dead.

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Cite this entry
APA

Lazarus taxon. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Lazarus%20taxon

MLA

“Lazarus taxon.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Lazarus%20taxon. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Lazarus taxon,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Lazarus%20taxon.

Source: Lazarus taxon on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.