Transitional fossil - Definition and Overview

A transitional fossil is a fossil specimen that combines features of two taxonomical divisions. According to evolution, a transitional form represents an evolutionary stage between divisions.

When Charles Darwin's The Origin of Species was first published, the fossil record was poorly known, and the claim that there was a lack of transitional fossils was perfectly reasonable. However, the discovery of Archaeopteryx only two years later was seen as a stunning triumph for Darwin's theory of common descent. Similarly, Othniel Charles Marsh provided groundbreaking evidence of transitional fossils in the evolution of horses. Since that time, many more transitional fossils have been found.

Specimens claimed to be transitional forms include pakicetids and various hominids, including proto-humans.

See also

• List of transitional fossils

External link

• talk.origins FAQ: Transitional Vertebrate Fossils (http://talkorigins.org/faqs/faq-transitional.html)

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