Introduction to Paleobiology and the Fossil Record
eBook - PDF

Introduction to Paleobiology and the Fossil Record

  1. English
  2. PDF
  3. Available on iOS & Android
eBook - PDF

Introduction to Paleobiology and the Fossil Record

About this book

This book presents a comprehensive overview of the science of the history of life. Paleobiologists bring many analytical tools to bear in interpreting the fossil record and the book introduces the latest techniques, from multivariate investigations of biogeography and biostratigraphy to engineering analysis of dinosaur skulls, and from homeobox genes to cladistics.

All the well-known fossil groups are included, including microfossils and invertebrates, but an important feature is the thorough coverage of plants, vertebrates and trace fossils together with discussion of the origins of both life and the metazoans. All key related subjects are introduced, such as systematics, ecology, evolution and development, stratigraphy and their roles in understanding where life came from and how it evolved and diversified.

Unique features of the book are the numerous case studies from current research that lead students to the primary literature, analytical and mathematical explanations and tools, together with associated problem sets and practical schedules for instructors and students.

New to this edition

  • The text and figures have been updated throughout to reflect current opinion on all aspects
  • New case studies illustrate the chapters, drawn from a broad distribution internationally
  • Chapters on Macroevolution, Form and Function, Mass extinctions, Origin of Life, and Origin of Metazoans have been entirely rewritten to reflect substantial advances in these topics
  • There is a new focus on careers in paleobiology

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Yes, you can access Introduction to Paleobiology and the Fossil Record by Michael J. Benton,David A. T. Harper in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Physical Sciences & Geology & Earth Sciences. We have over one million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.

Information

Table of contents

  1. Cover Page
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright Page
  4. Contents
  5. Full contents
  6. Preface
  7. Acknowledgments
  8. About the Companion website
  9. Chapter 1 Paleontology as a science
  10. Chapter 2 Stratigraphy
  11. Chapter 3 Paleogeography and paleoclimates
  12. Chapter 4 Paleoecology
  13. Chapter 5 Taphonomy and the quality of the fossil record
  14. Chapter 6 Fossil form and function
  15. Chapter 7 Macroevolution and the tree of life
  16. Chapter 8 Biodiversity, extinction, and mass extinction
  17. Chapter 9 The origin of life
  18. Chapter 10 Protists
  19. Chapter 11 Origin and expansion of the metazoans
  20. Chapter 12 The basal metazoans: sponges and corals
  21. Chapter 13 Lophophorates 1: brachiopods and bryozoans
  22. Chapter 14 Lophotrochozoans 2: mollusks and annelids
  23. Chapter 15 Ecdysozoa: arthropods
  24. Chapter 16 Deuterostomes: echinoderms and hemichordates
  25. Chapter 17 Fishes and basal tetrapods
  26. Chapter 18 Dinosaurs and mammals
  27. Chapter 19 Fossil plants and fungi
  28. Chapter 20 Trace fossils
  29. Finale
  30. Glossary
  31. Appendix 1: Stratigraphic chart
  32. Appendix 2: Paleogeographic maps
  33. Index
  34. EULA