Extant

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Extant means "still existing". It is the opposite of extinct, and can be applied to species, cultures and works of culture (e.g. plays, poems) that are currently still in existence.

In biology, the expression is commonly used in discussions of living and fossil species. For example, of the group of molluscs known as the cephalopods, there are approximately 600 extant and 7500 extinct species (Barnes, 1987).

In literature studies, the expression is commonly used to describe works whose manuscripts survive, and which are thus available to be studied. For example, Beowulf is the oldest extant manuscript written in English.

Extant can also refer to an Australian band.

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