Fossil Type Specimens in the Condon Fossil Collection

Plicatostylus gregarius, Fossil oyster upper valve

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Nemocardium formosum, Fossil cockle shell

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Neverita thomsonae, Fossil moon snail

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Dentalium laneensis, Fossil tusk shell

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Diplomaceras mitchellense, Ammonite partial shell

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Archoplites harneyensis, Fossil perch partial skeleton

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Paleotaricha oligocenica, Fossil newt skeleton, side one

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Paleotaricha oligocenica, Fossil newt skeleton, side two

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Eremochen russelli, Fossil duck humerus

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Teratorn woodburnensi, Giant terror-bird humerus

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Hemipsalodon grandis, Giant Hyena-like animal skull

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Hemipsalodon grandis, Giant Hyena-like animal mandible

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Puma lacustris, Fossil wildcat mandible

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Lynx longignathus, Fossil wildcat mandible, side one

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Lynx longignathus, Fossil wildcat mandible, side two

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Tephrocyon rurestris, Fossil dog skull, top view

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Tephrocyon rurestris, Fossil dog skull, bottom view

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Tephrocyon rurestris, Fossil dog skull, side view

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Eucyon davisi, Fossil dog mandible, side one

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Eucyon davisi, Fossil dog mandible, side two

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Pliotaxidea nevadensis, Fossil badger mandible

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Plionictis oregonensis, Fossil martin mandible, side one

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Plionictis oregonensis, Fossil martin mandible, side two

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Trigonictis idahoensis, Fossil grison mandible

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Sthenictis juncturensis, Fossil weasel mandible

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Lutra ingens, Fossil otter mandible

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Hypolagus oregonensis, Rabbit mandible, side one

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Hypolagus oregonensis, Rabbit mandible, side two

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Protosciurus condoni, Squirrel skull, top view

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Protosciurus condoni, Squirrel skull, bottom view

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Monosaulax typicus, Fossil beaver mandible, side one

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Monosaulax typicus, Fossil beaver mandible, side two

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Monosaulax progressus, Fossil beaver mandible

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Dipoides vallicula, Fossil beaver mandible

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Castor accessor, Beaver mandible

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View the entire gallery or click on the above images to enlarge.

The Condon Fossil Collection contains numerous "type specimens," a highly significant category in the field of paleontology. Fossil type specimens are the best examples of a new species at the time it is named. When scientists describe a new species, they designate a single specimen as the "holotype" that best represents the new species. Technically, new scientific names such as Tyrannosaurus rex are attached to this specimen rather than the species. Because scientific names are often published before a full analysis of variation within a fossil species has taken place, a holotype can later be found to be atypical of the species. At the time of first publication, a scientist may also designate "paratype" specimens she or he thinks belong to the same species and illustrate the range of variation known within the new species. Further research may reveal better preserved specimens that provide additional details to our knowledge of an ancient species, but type specimens remain significant for their historical value, the first of their kind, and as crucial resources for subsequent comparative analysis. The type specimens in this gallery have been organized by their evolutionary relationships, progressing up the tree of life from invertebrates (clams, snails, etc.) to vertebrates--from fish to amphibians, then birds and several families of mammals. Photography by Lieke Dircks, text by Edward Davis, and web development by Keith Hamm. Images © UO Museum of Natural and Cultural History. Production of this gallery was generously supported by The Ford Family Foundation.