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