Some Marine Pelecypod Families and Genera that are Relicts or Living Fossils

Abstract

The book Living Fossils (1984, edited by Eldredge and Stanley) was recently reviewed by Thomson (1987).  He pointed out that the 32 contributors to this book had different ideas as to what a living fossil is some of the contributors were of the opinion that a living species that can be traced back to the Cretaceous would be a living fossil.  Others would consider a lineage that has changed little through a great span of lime (bradytelyl) would be considered a living fossil group.  Still others would consider those lineages that were once much more widespread and diverse than they are now as living fossils.