Living Fossil Collection

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

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

Vulnerable tuatara, Sphenodon punctatus, on the shore. Hatteria or tuatara are living-fossil reptiles native to New Zealand. Neuseelandische Bruckeneidechse

Tuatara ***** A reptile of up to 2 feet in length which ***** numbers on some 16 islands, mostly off the North Auckland Bay of Plenty and Cook Strait

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)

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

Female Cockroach with egg purse

American Cockroach (Blattodea), overhead view

Ginkgo leaves. Leaves of the Chinese maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba). The two-lobed leaf is unique among trees in having no midrib or network of branching veins

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tuatara (Sphenodon Punctatus), side view

Overhead view of a Hissing Cockroach

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Silverfish head, SEM
Silverfish. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of a silverfish (Lepisma saccharina)

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

Coloured SEM of a silverfish (order Thysanura)

Silverfish scales, SEM
Silverfish scales, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM)

Coloured SEM of two springtails (Order collembola)
Springtails. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of two springtails (order Collembola)

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

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

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

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

Dead coelacanth fish

Coelacanth fish

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

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

Fossilised horseshoe crab

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

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

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

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

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

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

German cockroach, SEM
German cockroach (Blattella germanica). Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a German cockroach

Stromatolites. These are mineralised microbial communities, formed from blue-green algae (also called cyanobacteria)

Leaves of Maidenhair Tree Ginkgo biloba in autumn. From China, planted; Dorset
ROG-13348 Leaves of Maidenhair Tree - in autumn From China, planted; Dorset

Lungfish- Australia, Murray River and its tributaries
PM-10057 Lungfish Australia, Murray River and its tributaries Neoceratodus forsteri Very ancient air breathing fish

All products are expertly crafted, using premium materials, tailored to your specifications and promptly shipped

EDITORS COMMENTS

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.