missing links
Unfound intermediate forms
Missing links are gaps in a sequence or chain of reasoning, evidence, or development.
The term originated in evolutionary biology for hypothetical transitional forms between known species—the undiscovered creatures that would complete the fossil record: Scientists announced the discovery of a missing link between dinosaurs and birds.
More broadly, a missing link is any absent piece needed to complete an explanation or connection: The detective finally found the missing link that tied the suspect to the crime.
- gapsUnfilled spaces between
- fossilPreserved ancient organism
- fossil recordRemains documenting prehistoric life
- ancestorPredecessor in lineage
- family treeChart of ancestors
evolutionary tree · dig · evolution · human evolution · natural selection · transitional fossils · hominid · living fossils · cladistics · paleontology · speciation · phylogeny · primate · great apes · archaeology · bone · Neanderthal · cave dwellers
- creationismcreation, creator, young earth, creation science, creation story
- fossilsdinosaur bones, ammonite, amber, ammonites, fossils
missing linksfossil evidence
Preserved remains supporting theories
museum pieces · type specimens · Archaeopteryx · Lucy · smoking gun