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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. Images © UO Museum of Natural and Cultural History. Production of this gallery was generously supported by The Ford Family Foundation.

Ammonite partial shell

Ammonite partial shell, Diplomaceras mitchellense, Found at Mitchell, Wheeler County, Oregon, Cretaceous Period - Specimen #F-919
 

Rabbit mandible, side one

Rabbit mandible, side one, Hypolagus oregonensis, From McKay Reservoir, Umatilla County, Oregon, Miocene Epoch - Specimen #2063

Rabbit mandible, side two

Rabbit mandible, side two, Hypolagus oregonensis, From McKay Reservoir, Umatilla County, Oregon, Miocene Epoch - Specimen #2063

Fossil wildcat mandible, side one

Fossil wildcat mandible, side one, Lynx longignathus, From McKay Reservoir, Umatilla County, Oregon, Miocene Epoch - Specimen #F-2628

Fossil wildcat mandible, side two

Fossil wildcat mandible, side two, Lynx longignathus, From McKay Reservoir, Umatilla County, Oregon, Miocene Epoch - Specimen #F-2628

Fossil dog mandible, side one

Fossil dog mandible, side one, Eucyon davisi, From McKay Reservoir, Umatilla County, Oregon, Miocene Epoch - Specimen #F-3241

Fossil dog mandible, side two

Fossil dog mandible, side two, Eucyon davisi, From McKay Reservoir, Umatilla County, Oregon, Miocene Epoch - Specimen #F-3241

Squirrel skull, bottom view

Squirrel skull, bottom view, Protosciurus condoni, From the John Day Formation, Eastern Oregon, Oligocene Epoch - Specimen #F-5171

Squirrel skull, top view

Squirrel skull, top view, Protosciurus condoni, From the John Day Formation, Eastern Oregon, Oligocene Epoch - Specimen #F-5171

Fossil newt skeleton, side one

Fossil newt skeleton, side one, Paleotaricha oligocenica, From Goshen, Lane County, Oregon, Oligocene Epoch - Specimen #F-5405

Fossil newt skeleton, side two

Fossil newt skeleton, side two, Paleotaricha oligocenica, From Goshen, Lane County, Oregon, Oligocene Epoch - Specimen #F-5405

Fossil duck humerus

Fossil duck humerus, Eremochen russelli, From Juntura, Malheur County, Oregon, Miocene Epoch - Specimen #F-5414/F-5424

Fossil weasel mandible

Fossil weasel mandible, Sthenictis juncturensis, From Poison Basin, Malheur County, Oregon, Miocene Epoch - Specimen #F-6694

Fossil otter mandible

Fossil otter mandible, Lutra ingens, From Jackass Butte, Owyhee County, Idaho, Pliocene Epoch - Specimen #F-11837

Fossil wildcat mandible

Fossil wildcat mandible, Puma lacustris, From Jackass Butte, Owyhee County, Idaho, Pliocene Epoch - Specimen #F-11840

Beaver mandible

Beaver mandible, Castor accessor, From Jackass Butte, Owyhee County, Idaho, Pliocene Epoch - Specimen #F-16337

Fossil grison mandible

Fossil grison mandible, Trigonictis idahoensis, From Jackass Butte, Owyhee County, Idaho, Pliocene Epoch - Specimen #F-16351

Fossil beaver mandible
Fossil beaver mandible, side one, Monosaulax typicus, From Red Basin, Malheur County, Oregon, Miocene Epoch - Specimen #F-21677
Fossil beaver mandible

Fossil beaver mandible, side two, Monosaulax typicus, From Red Basin, Malheur County, Oregon, Miocene Epoch - Specimen #F-2167

Fossil badger mandible

Fossil badger mandible, Pliotaxidea nevadensis, From McKay Reservoir, Umatilla County, Oregon, Miocene Epoch - Specimen #F-21874

Fossil bone-crushing dog skull

Fossil bone-crushing dog skull, bottom view, Tephrocyon rurestris, From Cottonwood Creek, Grant County, Oregon, Miocene Epoch - Specimen #F-23077

Fossil bone-crushing dog skull, side view

Fossil bone-crushing dog skull, side view, Tephrocyon rurestris, From Cottonwood Creek, Grant County, Oregon, Miocene Epoch - Specimen #F-23077

Fossil bone-crushing dog skull, top view

Fossil bone-crushing dog skull, top view, Tephrocyon rurestris, From Cottonwood Creek, Grant County, Oregon, Miocene Epoch - Specimen #F-23077

Fossil beaver mandible

Fossil beaver mandible, Dipoides vallicula, From Little Valley, Malheur County, Oregon, Miocene Epoch - Specimen #F-26695

Fossil martin mandible, side one

Fossil martin mandible, side one, Plionictis oregonensis, From Little Valley, Malheur County, Oregon, Miocene Epoch - Specimen #F-26744

Fossil martin mandible, side two

Fossil martin mandible, side two, Plionictis oregonensis, From Little Valley, Malheur County, Oregon, Miocene Epoch - Specimen #F-26744

Fossil oyster upper valve

Fossil oyster upper valve, Plicatostylus gregarius, From Beaver Creek, Grant County, Oregon, Jurassic Period - Specimen #F-26853

Fossil cockle shell

Fossil cockle shell, Nemocardium formosum, From Eugene, Oregon, Oligocene Epoch - Specimen #F-27195

Fossil tusk shell

Fossil tusk shell, Dentalium laneensis, From Eugene, Oregon, Oligocene Epoch - Specimen #F-27332

Fossil moon snail shell

Fossil moon snail shell, Neverita thomsonae, From Columbia County, Oregon, Oligocene Epoch - Specimen #F-27366

Fossil perch partial skeleton

Fossil perch partial skeleton, Archoplites harneyensis, From Trout Creek, Harney County, Oregon, Miocene Epoch - Specimen #F-27827

Fossil beaver mandible

Fossil beaver mandible, Monosaulax progressus, From the Quartz Basin, Malheur, County, Oregon, Miocene Epoch - Specimen #F-31713

Giant hyena-like animal mandible

Giant hyena-like animal mandible, Hemipsalodon grandis, From Clarno Mammal Quarry, Wheeler County, Oregon, Eocene Epoch - Specimen #F-35328

Giant hyena-like animal skull

Giant hyena-like animal skull, Hemipsalodon grandis, From Clarno Mammal Quarry, Wheeler County, Oregon, Eocene Epoch - Specimen #F-35328

Giant terror-bird humerus

Giant terror-bird humerus, Teratorn woodburnensi, From Woodburn, Marion County, Oregon, Pleistocene Epoch - Specimen #F-36468