Extant

Definition

Extant refers to species, organisms, or genera that are still in existence and have not gone extinct. It is the opposite of extinct, indicating survival through various evolutionary and environmental changes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Extant seedless plants include ferns, horsetails, and clubmosses.
2. Extant species provide insight into the evolutionary history of early plant life.
3. Studying extant plants helps scientists understand the adaptations necessary for survival in different environments.
4. Most extant seedless plants reproduce via spores rather than seeds.
5. The diversity among extant seedless plants illustrates a wide range of morphological and ecological adaptations.

Review Questions

• What does it mean when a species is described as extant?
• Name three examples of extant seedless plants.
• Why is studying extant species important for understanding early plant life?

Related terms

extinct: A term used to describe species that no longer exist anywhere on Earth

spores: Reproductive units capable of developing into new individuals without sexual fusion, common in seedless plants

ferns: A group of extant vascular plants that reproduce via spores and have complex leaves called fronds