So recently, while going through some observations on the app, I noticed someone had uploaded a jaw fossil for an extinct relative of the Alligator Snapping Turtle. Given that iNat’s species database only seems to include currently living species, the observation was left at the genus level.aside fr…

They are allowed on the site for sure. They can’t reach research grade status, at least if properly marked in the DQA with the no recent evidence flag you note. The iNat taxonomy does contain extinct things - https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/2713-Raphus-cucullatus You should however note that no a…

I think @cmcheatle addressed the issue, but I was wondering if there is a specific fossil site for these types of finds. @danebury216 posts fossil insects in amber - perhaps he may know of such a website?

I think the question then becomes: should the taxonomy be updated to include more extinct organisms at a species level? Or should there be a different, more suitable place for uploading this data? We’re in a time when species once thought extinct are being rediscovered every now and then. So as alwa…

The site has been pretty clear in the past that they are not a taxonomic reference, and as this is a niche use of the site, they will not allocate resources to trying to document every extinct taxa. If someone adds them and a record, that is fine, but it is not a focus.

Thank you for clearing that up.

If you can identify the fossil, then add that, even in a comment. I’m just not sure iNat is the place for fossil taxonomists. However, I’m not an administrator, so I cannot answer that specifically. We seem to have a hard enough time with existing, living taxonomy.

[image] peywey: should the taxonomy be updated to include more extinct organisms at a species level? Always feel free to flag the parent taxon (e.g. the genus, if a species is missing) for curation, and a curator can take a look.

I strongly believe all known recently extinct species should be added to the site and not be hidden by default. Removing species from sites like this when they go extinct adds to shifting baseline syndrome ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shifting_baseline ): each generation has a more impoverished vie…

Thank you. Should any such identification issue arise, I’ll be sure to do so.

[image] stanvrem: and not be hidden by default In that respect, a way to at least pull up items with “no recent evidence” for viewing would be handy. There may not be a way to do that currently. (If you would like one maybe consider voting at https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/implement-more-fil…

Extant vs. Extinct Observations

General

Topic		Replies	Views
Will iNaturalist allow upload of prehistoric species/fossils in the future? General	26	1764	November 3, 2021
Does iNaturalist allow observations of fossils? General	15	1347	September 21, 2023
Certain extinct species are missing altogether General question	8	451	May 1, 2025
Fossils and 'recent evidence of organism' in 'research grade qualification' Bug Reports	8	872	July 21, 2023
Dinosaur Authority? Curators	18	830	September 6, 2024

Extant vs. Extinct Observations

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