Heteranthery exists in several angiosperm families, such as Melastomataceae, Solanaceae, Lythraceae, Leguminosae and Pontederiaceae, but the aspects and extent of differentiation often vary in taxa.
Heteranthery exists in several angiosperm families, such as Melastomataceae, Solanaceae, Lytbraceae, Leguminosae and Pontederiaceae, but the aspects and extent of differentiation often vary in taxa.
In consequence, many species are being described poorly in isolated publications, with no attempt to relate a new taxon to existing species and classifications.
But, aside from blowing our minds by re-appearing when we least expect it, Lazarus taxa give us a fascinating lesson in the limits of what the fossil record can really tell us.
There are at least four more spectacularly preserved taxa of bats from just a bit later, around 47 million years ago, from the Messel Pit in Germany, a site we've talked about before.
These taxa get the reputation for being well, dead because their remains suddenly disappear from the fossil record, making it look like they've vanished, even though they've stayed around, often for millions of years.