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Living Fossil Collection

Discover the wonders of the past with these living fossils

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Maidenhair tree leaves (Ginkgo biloba)

Maidenhair tree leaves (Ginkgo biloba) on rock. This unique tree is named after the golden hue its leaves turn in autumn. An extract from the leaves in used in herbal medicine

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Sauropod and duckbill dinosaurs feed peacefully together

Sauropod and duckbill dinosaurs feed peacefully together
In this prehistoric scene, both sauropod and duckbill dinosaurs feed peacefully together, but remain alert to any possible dangers

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Velvet Worm (Peripatus novaezealandiae) known as living fossils, having

Velvet Worm (Peripatus novaezealandiae) known as living fossils, having remained the same for approximately 570 million years, New Zealand, Captive

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Welwitschia mirabilis, plant of South West Africa (colour litho)

Welwitschia mirabilis, plant of South West Africa (colour litho)
3621951 Welwitschia mirabilis, plant of South West Africa (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Welwitschia mirabilis, plant of South West Africa)

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Female Cockroach with egg purse

Female Cockroach with egg purse

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: American Cockroach (Blattodea), overhead view

American Cockroach (Blattodea), overhead view

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: A mixed herd of dinosaurs migrate to greener pastures

A mixed herd of dinosaurs migrate to greener pastures
A mixed herd of dinosaurs including sauropods, Triceratopians, and duckbill dinosaurs, travel together as they migrate to greener pastures

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: The fabled City of Atlantis set in the time of the dinosaurs

The fabled City of Atlantis set in the time of the dinosaurs, during Earths long distant prehistoric past

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Living fossilized Omeisaurus sauropod dinosaurs

Living fossilized Omeisaurus sauropod dinosaurs go about life in a prehistoric landscape

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: A cloned Allosaurus being sedated by robotic devices

A cloned Allosaurus being sedated by robotic devices
In a city of the future, a cloned Allosaurus has escaped from the local theme park and is being sedated by robotic devices

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: A Tyrannosaurus Rex stalks a mixed herd of herbivorous dinosurs

A Tyrannosaurus Rex stalks a mixed herd of herbivorous dinosurs
A watchful Tyrannosaurus Rex stalks a mixed herd of herbivorous dinosurs, in the hopes of spotting a chance to grab its next meal

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: A small group of Diplodocus sauropod dinosaurs

A small group of Diplodocus sauropod dinosaurs walk through a desert-like region in search of greener pastures

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: A T-Rex comes across the carcass of a dead Triceratops

A T-Rex comes across the carcass of a dead Triceratops dinosaur

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Tuatara (Sphenodon Punctatus), side view

Tuatara (Sphenodon Punctatus), side view

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Overhead view of a Hissing Cockroach

Overhead view of a Hissing Cockroach

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Fairy Shrimp male C015 / 0717

Fairy Shrimp male C015 / 0717
Fairy Shrimp Chirocephalus diaphanus male. Fairy shrimps swim around on their backs, propelled by the constantly moving legs. Fossils of Fairy Shrimps have been found in Cambrian rocks in Sweden

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Nautilus, artwork

Nautilus, artwork
Nautilus. Computer artwork of a nautilus (family Nautilidae), showing the internal chambers of its shell. The nautilus is a marine cephalopod mollusc related to the octopus and squid

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Fairy Shrimp female C015 / 0882

Fairy Shrimp female C015 / 0882
Fairy Shrimp Chirocephalus diaphanus female. Fairy shrimps swim around on their backs, propelled by the constantly moving legs. Fossils of Fairy Shrimps have been found in Cambrian rocks in Sweden

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Wollemi conifer foliage

Wollemi conifer foliage. The Wollemia genus of coniferous plants was only known from fossils until an extant species (Wollemia nobilis, a living fossil) was discovered in Australia in 1994

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Scorpion Fly or Panorpa communis C013 / 7659

Scorpion Fly or Panorpa communis C013 / 7659
Scorpion Flies belong to an order of insects known as the mecoptera, they are mainly predators or consumers of dead organisms

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve

Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve, Shark Bay, Western Australia. This area is famous for its stromatolites, mineralised microbial communities formed from cyanobacteria (blue-green algae)

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Field horsetail stems and cones

Field horsetail stems and cones
Field horsetail (Equisetum arvense) stems and cones. These are fertile stems, bearing a structure called the cone or strobilus

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Bowfin - a very ancient type of bony fish - freshwaters - North America

Bowfin - a very ancient type of bony fish - freshwaters - North America
PM-10710 Bowfin - a very ancient type of bony fish - freshwaters North America Amia calva Pat Morris contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Arapaima, one of the largest freshwater fishes, tropical South America

Arapaima, one of the largest freshwater fishes, tropical South America
PM-10770 Arapaima, one of the largest freshwater fishes tropical South America Arapaima gigas Living fossil Pat Morris contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Tadpole Shrimp - ventral view - living fossil is oldest living animal species known - Italy

Tadpole Shrimp - ventral view - living fossil is oldest living animal species known - Italy
RD-308 Tadpole Shrimp - ventral view - living fossil is oldest living animal species known Italy Triops cancriformis Giacomo Radi contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Ginkgo / Maidenhair Tree - in autumn with fall colours - From China

Ginkgo / Maidenhair Tree - in autumn with fall colours - From China
ROG-13844 Ginkgo / Maidenhair Tree - in autumn with fall colours China Ginkgo biloba Bob Gibbons contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Wollemi Pine - a recently discovered living fossil in cultivation at Australia Brisbane Mt

Wollemi Pine - a recently discovered living fossil in cultivation at Australia Brisbane Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens
EL-1910 Wollemi Pine - a recently discovered living fossil in cultivation at Australia Brisbane Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens Wollemi nobilis Eric Lindgren contact details: prints@ardea.com tel

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Springtails head, SEM

Springtails head, SEM
Springtails head, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). This primitive insect (order Collembola) has remained unchanged for millions of years, and is considered a living fossil

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Silverfish head, SEM

Silverfish head, SEM
Silverfish. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of a silverfish (Lepisma saccharina). This primitive insect has remained unchanged for millions of years

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Springtail body hairs, SEM

Springtail body hairs, SEM
Springtail body hairs. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of hairs on the body of a springtail (order Collembola), a primitive insect

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Coloured SEM of a silverfish (order Thysanura)

Coloured SEM of a silverfish (order Thysanura)

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Silverfish scales, SEM

Silverfish scales, SEM
Silverfish scales, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) is a primitive insect that has remained unchanged for millions of years

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Coloured SEM of two springtails (Order collembola)

Coloured SEM of two springtails (Order collembola)
Springtails. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of two springtails (order Collembola). These primitive insects have remained unchanged for millions of years

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Head of a German cockroach (Blattella germanica)

Head of a German cockroach (Blattella germanica)
German cockroach. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of a German cockroach (Blattella germanica) eating a scrap of food

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Springtail body surface, SEM

Springtail body surface, SEM
Springtail body surface. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the body surface of a springtail insect (order Collembola). The hairs (setae) and scales are typical of this group

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Horseshoe crab research

Horseshoe crab research
Horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus) in shallow water by a coast. The horseshoe crab, contrary to its name, is a distant relative of the spider. It has existed unchanged for over 500 million years

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Coelacanth fish fin

Coelacanth fish fin
Fin of dead coelacanth fish (Latimeria chalumnae). This fish uses its lobed fins to swim, moving them in the same way as a tetrapod walking on land

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Dead coelacanth fish

Dead coelacanth fish

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Coelacanth fish

Coelacanth fish

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Ginkgo in medicine

Ginkgo in medicine, conceptual artwork. Hand holding a leaf of the gingko tree (Ginkgo biloba). An X-ray of the head is at upper left, with brain scans at upper right

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Fossilised frog embedded in rock

Fossilised frog embedded in rock
Fossil frog. Fossilised skeleton of a frog embedded in rock. Frogs and toads first appeared 190-160 million years ago in the early Jurassic Period

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Fossilised horseshoe crab

Fossilised horseshoe crab

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Early stromatolites, artwork

Early stromatolites, artwork
Early stromatolites. Artwork of early stromatolites during a volcanic period. Stromatolites (boulder-like structures, lower frame) are an ancient form of life, dating back over 500 million years

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Ginkgo leaf, computer artwork

Ginkgo leaf, computer artwork
Ginkgo leaf. Computer artwork of a leaf from the Chinese maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba)

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Ginkgo leaves, computer artwork

Ginkgo leaves, computer artwork
Ginkgo leaves. Computer artwork of leaves of the Chinese maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba)

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Silverfish, SEM

Silverfish, SEM
Silverfish. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) on toilet paper. Silverfish are so named because they are covered in tiny shiny scales

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Cockroach, SEM

Cockroach, SEM
Cockroach. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) showing the underside of a cockroach (order Blattaria). Magnification: x5 when printed 10 cm wide

Background imageLiving Fossil Collection: Cretaceous tree ferns, artwork

Cretaceous tree ferns, artwork
Cretaceous tree ferns. Artwork showing several Tempskya tree ferns, depicted in the Lower to Mid-Cretaceous Period. These plants could reach six metres in height and half a metre in diameter



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Discover the wonders of the past with these living fossils. 🌿🦕 Maidenhair tree leaves, also known as Ginkgo biloba, take us back millions of years to a time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. These ancient leaves have remained virtually unchanged for centuries, serving as a reminder of our planet's rich history. Imagine a scene where sauropod and duckbill dinosaurs peacefully coexist, grazing together in harmony. This remarkable sight showcases the diversity and interconnectedness of prehistoric life. The Velvet Worm (Peripatus novaezealandiae) is another living fossil that has stood the test of time. With its unique appearance and primitive characteristics, it serves as a link between ancient creatures and modern-day organisms. Welwitschia mirabilis, an extraordinary plant found in South West Africa, captivates us with its resilience. Its color litho displays this magnificent species that has adapted to survive harsh desert conditions for thousands of years. Even cockroaches have their place in this tale. A female cockroach carrying an egg purse reminds us that these resilient insects have been around since prehistoric times. Witnessing a mixed herd of dinosaurs migrating to greener pastures evokes awe-inspiring images from long ago. It's like stepping into the fabled City of Atlantis set amidst a world dominated by mighty dinosaurs. The Omeisaurus sauropod dinosaurs provide evidence that some species managed to become "living fossils" through their ability to adapt over time while preserving key characteristics from their ancestors. Advancements in technology allow scientists to clone Allosaurus specimens while ensuring their safety through robotic sedation devices. This groundbreaking process offers glimpses into how these majestic creatures once ruled our planet. Intriguingly enough, even fearsome predators like Tyrannosaurus Rex stalked mixed herds of herbivorous dinosaurs during ancient times. The balance between predator and prey is a testament to the intricate web of life that existed millions of years ago.