Elvis taxon

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In paleontology, an Elvis taxon (plural Elvis taxa) is a taxon which has been misidentified as having re-emerged in the fossil record after a period of extinction, but is not actually a descendant of the original taxon, instead having developed a similar morphology through convergent evolution. This implies the extinction of the original taxon is real, and the two taxa are polyphyletic.

By contrast, a Lazarus taxon is one which actually is a descendant of the original taxon, and highlights missing fossil records, which may be filled later.

The term was coined by D. H. Erwin and M. L. Droser in a 1993 paper to distinguish descendant from non-descendant taxa:

"Rather than continue the biblical tradition favored by Jablonski [for Lazarus taxa], we prefer a more topical approach and suggest that such taxa should be known as Elvis taxa, in recognition of the many Elvis impersonators who have appeared since the death of The King." (Erwin, D.H. and Droser, M.L., 1993. Elvis taxa. Palaios, v.8, p.623-624.[1])

The term Elvis taxon is used because of the large number of sightings of Elvis Presley long after his death, as well as for his many impersonators.

Lobothyris subgregaria, a brachiopod from the early Jurassic period is one example of such a taxon. [2]

[edit] Trivia

Some species and specimens have been named after Elvis Presley, but are not Elvis taxa.

The dinosaur Cryolophosaurus is known informally as Elvisaurus for its nasal crest resembling Elvis Presley's pompadour haircut.
A brachylophosaurus fossil specimen was named 'Elvis' by its discoverer.