Palaeontology Books
Johns Hopkins University Press The Rise of Fishes 500 Million Years of
Book SynopsisThe book includes photographs of fossils from around the world as well as dramatic color illustrations depicting what those fishes may have actually looked like.Trade ReviewAnyone wanting an overview of '500 million years of evolution' of fish and aquatic creatures really needs to read this acclaimed text. It is the work of Australian palaeontologist and curator John A. Long, who works at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles. This is a second edition incorporating research from the past 15 years. This is not a work of popular science. It is a richly illustrated technical book that will be of interest to anyone wanting to know about fish before they crawled out of the oceans and started the long journey from amphibians to mammals. Sydney Morning Herald 2011Table of ContentsForeword, by Philippe JanvierPreface to the Second EditionAcknowledgments1. Earth, Rocks, Evolution, and Fish2. Glorified Swimming Worms: The First Fishes3. Jawless Wonders4. Armored Fishes and Fishes with Arms5. Sharks and Their Cartilaginous Kin6. Spiny-Jawed Fishes7. An Epiphany of Evolution8. Primitive Ray-Finned Fishes9. Teleosteans, the Champions10. The Ghost Fish and Other Primeval Predators11. Strangers in the Bite: Dipnomorphans12. Big Teeth, Strong Fins13. The Greatest Step in EvolutionA Classification of FishesGlossaryBibliographyIndex
£51.75
Johns Hopkins University Press The Rise of Marine Mammals
Book SynopsisMammalogists, paleontologists, and marine scientists will find Berta's insights absorbing, while developmental and molecular biologists, geneticists, and ecologists exploring integrative research approaches will benefit from her fresh perspective.Trade ReviewMammalogists, paleontologists, and marine scientists will find Berta’s insights absorbing, while developmental and molecular biologists, geneticists, and ecologists exploring integrative research approaches will benefit from her fresh perspective.—Birdbooker ReportThe Rise of Marine Mammals is an impressive introduction to its subject and an important contribution to zoological literature.—TLSOverall, this is a thorough review of the evolution of marine mammals, ideal for students of vertebrate paleontology who wish to study the taxonomy of these groups and for professionals who may use it as an up-to-date reference work. The volume is an excellent addition to paleontology collections.—ChoiceThis is a beautifully illustrated, comprehensive introduction to the fossil record of some of the most interesting evolutionary transformations within mammals . . . The Rise of Marine Mammals is a fact-filled, well-illustrated volume that will be much appreciated by anyone who is looking to learn about where, when, and how these fascinating animals arose.—Mark D. Uhen, George Mason University, Quarterly Review of BiologyThe Rise of Marine Mammals covers the breadth of marine mammal evolution while highlighting the key details. It discusses what we can learn from the fossils within a context that makes the reader feel as if he or she is part of making these discoveries . . . This visually stunning, yet informative, book should serve to inspire its readers—not only to give them a sense of awe and wonder at the marvelous diversity of marine mammals in eons gone by, but also to push them to preserve and steward the remarkable creatures that live in our seas today.—Ryan M. Bebej, Calvin College, Perspectives on Science and Christian FaithTable of ContentsPrefaceAcknowledgments1. Setting the Stage2. The Oldest Marine Mammals3. Later- Diverging Whales4. Aquatic Carnivorans5. Crown Sirenians and Their Desmostylian Relatives6. Aquatic Sloths and Recent Occupants of the Sea, Sea Otters and Polar Bears7. Diversity Changes through TimeClassification of Fossil Marine MammalsGlossaryReferencesIndex
£57.60
University of California Press The Dinosauria Second Edition
Book SynopsisIncludes comprehensive coverage of dinosaur systematics, reproduction, and life history strategies, biogeography, taphonomy, paleoecology, thermoregulation, and extinction. This book offers documentation of dinosaur distribution through time and space, and discussion of the interface between geology and biology.Table of ContentsAbbreviations for Figures Foreword Introduction SECTION ONE: DINOSAUR SYSTEMATICS Saurischia Ornithischia SECTION TWO: DINOSAUR DISTRIBUTION AND BIOLOGY Literature Cited Contributors Index
£41.65
Indiana University Press Earth before the Dinosaurs Life of the Past
Book SynopsisAn entertaining and informative guide to an astonishing and little-known worldTrade ReviewA fascinating exploration of past life forms, this book will appeal to anyone interested in paleontology and Earth's history. * Library Journal *Highly recommended. * Choice *[T]his book should fascinate all laymen interested in vertebrate paleontology or evolution, and many paleontologists will want to get it even if only for the artwork. * Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology *Table of ContentsPreface1. The Great Transition2. Where Did the Limbs Come From?3. Pangean Chronicle4. Between Earth and Sky5. A Brief Guide to PaleontologyBibliographyIndex
£31.50
Collective Ink Scars of Eden, The: Has humanity confused the
Book SynopsisFrom the author of the bestselling ESCAPING FROM EDEN. Do our world mythologies convey our ancestors' ideas about God? Or are they in reality ancestral memories of extra-terrestrial contact? How do ancient stories of contact, adaptation and abduction relate to people's experiences around the world today? The Scars of Eden will take you around the world to hear first-hand from ancestral voices alongside contemporary experiencers and world-renowned researchers. Recent revelations from US Navy, the Pentagon, and French Intelligence bring the reader right up to date in examining what has been forgotten and remembered, hidden and disclosed. If world mythologies, including the Bible, have confused the idea of God with ancient ET visitations, what difference does it make? How does it impact society today? And why is this cultural taboo so widespread and, for the author, so personal?
£10.44
Cambridge University Press Introduction to Plant Fossils
Book SynopsisPlant remains can preserve a critical part of history of life on Earth. While telling the fascinating evolutionary story of plants and vegetation across the last 500 million years, this book also crucially offers non-specialists a practical guide to studying, dealing with and interpreting plant fossils. It shows how various techniques can be used to reveal the secrets of plant fossils and how to identify common types, such as compressions and impressions. Incorporating the concepts of evolutionary floras, this second edition includes revised data on all main plant groups, the latest approaches to naming plant fossils using fossil-taxa and techniques such as tomography. With extensive illustrations of plant fossils and living plants, the book encourages readers to think of fossils as once-living organisms. It is written for students on introductory or intermediate courses in palaeobotany, palaeontology, plant evolutionary biology and plant science, and for amateurs interested in studyinTrade Review'… affording quick access to the world of fossil plants to any interested reader. Their direct approach is refreshing, making the book eminently useful for the basic identification of fossil plants, in some cases down to species-level determinations … Undergraduate students willing to read this book will quickly gain a core understanding of an important subject that is rarely included in today's college curriculum.' P. K. Strother, Choice'This edition is great for everyone interested in fossils, plants, and (specially) fossil plants, being especially useful for those starting to study plant evolution and paleobotany. It may also be of interest for everyone who ever found a piece of petrified wood and wanted to learn more about it, and about all of the wonderful and strange plants that inhabited the earth a long time ago.' Andrés Elgorriaga, Plant Science BulletinTable of Contents1. Introduction; 2. Highlights of palaeobotanical study; 3. Studying plant fossils; 4. Early land plants; 5. Lycophytes; 6. Sphenophytes; 7. Ferns; 8. Early gymnosperms; 9. Modern gymnosperms; 10. Angiosperms; 11. The history of land vegetation.
£41.79
Cambridge University Press Understanding Human Evolution
Book SynopsisHuman life, and how we came to be, is one of the greatest scientific and philosophical questions of our time. This compact and accessible book presents a modern view of human evolution. Written by a leading authority, it lucidly and engagingly explains not only the evolutionary process, but the technologies currently used to unravel the evolutionary past and emergence of Homo sapiens. By separating the history of palaeoanthropology from current interpretation of the human fossil record, it lays numerous misconceptions to rest, and demonstrates that human evolution has been far from the linear struggle from primitiveness to perfection that we''ve been led to believe. It also presents a coherent scenario for how Homo sapiens contrived to cross a formidable cognitive barrier to become an extraordinary and unprecedented thinking creature. Elegantly illustrated, Understanding Human Evolution is for anyone interested in the complex and tangled story of how we came to be.Trade Review'For years, Ian Tattersall has been the go-to source for the latest facts and interpretations of human evolution. Here, in his clear, pithy style, he brings us up to date on the latest discoveries, weaving them skillfully into a coherent outline of hominid history extending back millions of years. It's all here-from the latest on DNA and radiometric dating of fossils, to the nature and origin of the still-mysterious self-consciousness that is unique to modern humans. A terrific resource and wonderful read!' Niles Eldredge, Curator Emeritus in the Division of Paleontology, American Museum of Natural History, USA'Ian Tattersall provides in this short and engaging book the story of how humans evolved, and, as importantly, how we have come to learn about our evolutionary history and the nature of being human through great discoveries and great scientific debates.' Robert Foley, Leverhulme Professor of Human Evolution, University of Cambridge, UK'Understanding Human Evolution provides a sweeping overview of the field of human evolution, giving equal attention to the history of the discipline as well as current thoughts and ideas about our attainment of the milestones of human evolution-upright posture and bipedal locomotion, the evolution of tool use, the expansion of the brain and human cognition, the development of language, and the spread of humans out of Africa around the globe. All of this is presented in a concise and accessible package by one of the most well-known popularizers of the field today. This is an excellent resource for anyone looking for an introduction to the fossil evidence for human evolution, as well as those who want to catch up on the current state of knowledge in this fast-moving discipline.' Leslie C. Aiello, FBA, Professor Emerita, University College London, UK'An enjoyable, highly informative, and scholarly read. Tattersall is at his best here. Engaging the reader with his inimitable style, he interprets and explains the convoluted evidence for how we became human. Written largely for the non-specialist, there is much here that will inform and even stimulate professional paleoanthropologists.' Donald Johanson, Founding Director of the Institute of Human Origins at Arizona State University, USATable of Contents1. Evolution; 2. Technology: dating, diets, and development; 3. Discovery and interpretation of the human fossil record: the early days; 4. Discovery and interpretation of the human fossil record: more recent developments; 5. Early bipeds; 6. The muddle in the middle; 7. Homo heidelbergensis and the Neanderthals; 8. The emergence and spread of Homo sapiens.
£11.99
University of Chicago Press Evolutionary Paleobiology
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£117.80
The University of Chicago Press Evolutionary Innovations
Book Synopsis
£76.00
Columbia University Press Seismosaurus
Book SynopsisThe first book to clearly explain the science used by paleontologists and the new, cutting-edge techniques that led to the discovery of Seismosaurus, the longest dinosaur yet known----and possibly the largest land animal to have ever lived. The book also illustrates the exciting collaboration between Gillette, the chemists and physicists who helped to reconstruct Seismosaurus.Trade ReviewHere is a work destined to be of great historical importance in the field of paleontology...There have been no comparably detailed exegeses on the history of a single excavation. Earth Sciences History
£63.00
Columbia University Press Arthropod Fossils and Phylogeny
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£85.50
Columbia University Press The Ecology of the Cambrian Radiation
Book SynopsisThe Ecology of the Cambrian Radiation offers a comprehensive and surprising picture of the Earth at that ancient time. The book contains contributions from thirty-three authors hailing from ten countries and will be of interest to paleontologists, geologists, biologists, and other researchers interested in the global Earth-life system.Trade ReviewCertainly grabs one's attention... brings a great deal of information together under a single cover... invaluable. Palaios Goes a long way towards filling a major gap in the available palaeontological literature... Every library should have a copy, as should anyone seriously interested in life in the Cambrian. Geological MagazineTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction, by Andrey Yu. Zhuravlev and Robert Riding I. The Environment 2. Paleomagnetically and Tectonically Based Global Maps for Vendian to Mid-Ordovician Time, by Alan G. Smith 3. Global Facies Distributions from Late Vendian to Mid-Ordovician, by Kirill B. Seslavinsky and Irina D. Maidanskaya 4. Did Supercontinental Amalgamation Trigger the "Cambrian Explosion"?, by Martin D. Brasier and John F. Lindsay 5. Climate Change at the Neoproterozoic-Cambrian Transition, by Toni T. Eerola 6. Australian Early and Middle Cambrian Sequence Biostratigraphy with Implications for Species Diversity and Correlation, by David I. Gravestock and John H. Shergold 7. The Cambrian Radiation and the Diversification of Sedimentary Fabrics, by Mary L. Droser and Xing Li II. Community Patterns and Dynamics 8. Biotic Diversity and Structure During the Neoproterozoic-Ordovician Transition, by Andrey Yu. Zhuravlev 9. Ecology and Evolution of Cambrian Plankton, by Nicholas J. Butterfield 10. Evolution of Shallow-Water Level-Bottom Commuties, by Mikhail B. Burzin, Francoise Debrenne, and Andrey Yu. Zhuravlev 11. Evolution of the Hardground Community, by Sergei V. Rozhnov 12. Ecology and Evolution of the Cambrian Reefs, by Brian R. Pratt, Ben R. Spincer, Rachel A. Wood, and Andrey Yu. Zhuravlev 13. Evolution of the Deep-Water Benthic Community, by T. Peter Crimes III. Ecologic Radiation of Major Groups of Organisms 14. Sponges, Cnidarians, and Ctenophores, by Francoise Debrenne and Joachim Reitner 15. Mollusks, Hyoliths, Stenothecoids, and Coeloscleritophorans, by Arten V. Kouchinsky 16. Brachiopods, by Galina T. Ushatinskaya 17. Ecologic Evolution of Cambrian Trilobites, by Nigel C. Hughes 18. Ecology of Nontrilobite Arthropods and Lobopods in the Cambrian, by Graham E. Budd 19. Ecologic Radiation of Cambro-Ordovician Echinoderms, by Thomas E. Guensburg and James Sprinkle 20. Calcified Algae and Bacteria, by Robert Riding 21. Molecular Fossils Demonstrate Precambrian Origin of Dinoflagellates, by J. M. Moldowan, S. Jacobson, J. Dahl, A. Al-Hajji, B. Huizinga, and F. Fago List of Contributors Index
£49.50
Springer Advancing Research on Living and Fossil Cephalopods
Book SynopsisI: Development and Evolution.- 1. Cephalopod Development and Evolution: Biological Insight into Ontogenesis as a Guide to Paleomorphology.- 2. Hatching of Nautilus macromphalus in the Toba Aquarium, Japan.- 3. Comparative Analysis of Some Morphometric Characters in Two Sepiolids: Sepietta neglecta (Naef, 1916) and Sepietta oweniana (Orbigny, 1840).- 4. Embryonic Development of Primitive Ammonoids and the Monophyly of the Ammonoidea.- 5. A Late Carboniferous Spirulid Coleoid from the Southern Mid-Continent (USA): Shell Wall infrastructure and Evolutionary Implications.- 6. Plasticity of Developmental Timing as the Underlying Cause of High Speciation Rates in Ammonoids: An Example from the Cenomanian Western Interior Seaway of North America.- 7. Pathologic Gigantism in Middle Carboniferous Cephalopods, Southern Midcontinent, United States.- 8. Aalenian Tmetoceras (Ammonoidea) from Iberia: Taxonomy, Habitats, and Evolution.- 9. Evolution of the Family Sibiritidae and Detailed BiostratigraTable of ContentsDevelopment and Evolution. Cephalopod Development and Evolution: Biological Insight into Ontogenesis as a Guide to Paelomorphology; S.V. Boletzky. Hatching of Nautilus macromphalus in the Toba Aquarium, Japan; K. Uchiyama, K. Tanabe. Comparative Analysis of Some Morphometric Characters in Two Sepiolids: Sepietta neglecta (Naef, 1916) and Sepietta oweniana (Orbigny, 1840); E. Lefkaditou, P. Kaspiris. Form, Construction, and Function. Ultrastructural Studies on the Epidermis of Adult Octopus vulgaris (Cuvier, 1797); S. Lenz. Comparative Immunohistochemical and Immunocytochemical Investigations on the Location of Haemocyanin Synthesis in Dibranchiate and Tetrabranchiate Cephalopods (Sepia and Nautilus); P. Ruth, et al. Ultrastructural Studies of the Suckers of Newly Hatched Eledone moschata and Octopus vulgaris (Mollusca; Cephalopoda); H. Schmidtberg. Taphonomy, Palaeoecology, Palaeobiogeography, Biostratigraphy, and Basin Analysis. Rollmarks of Soft Parts and a Possible Crop Content of Late Cretaceous Ammonites from the Slovenian Kars; H. Summesberger, et al. Possible Cephalopod Reproductive Mass Mortality Reflected by Middle Carboniferous Assemblages, Arkansas, Southern United States; W.L. Manger, et al. 26 additional articles. Index.
£161.99
Springer Us Reconstructing Behavior in the Primate Fossil Record Advances in Primatology
Book SynopsisThis volume brings together a series of papers that address the topic of reconstructing behavior in the primate fossil record. Consequently, inferences of behavior in extinct species have become better grounded in comparative studies of living species and are becoming increas ingly rigorous.Trade Review`The chapters are of high quality and well focused. Recommended.' Choice, 40:4 (2002) `One of the major challenges in primate paleontology is reconstructing the animals behaviour from its fossil remains. Unlike human archeology, where there are plenty of clues from material culture, paleontologists have much less information to work from. This book looks at the current state of the art [...] with chapters covering a broad range of techniques that can be applied and reviewing the predictions that can be made. It is firmly aimed at researchers in the field although its content might be interesting to final year undergraduates.' Primate Eye, Primate Society of Great Britain, 81 (October 2003)Table of Contents1. Preface; J.M. Plavcan, et al. 2. Adaptation and behavior in the primate fossil record; C.F. Ross, et al. 3. Functional morphology and in vivo bone strain patterns in the craniofacial region of primates: beware of biomechanical stories about fossil bones; W.L. Hylander, K.R. Johnson. 4. On the interface between ontogeny and function; M.J. Ravosa, C.J. Vinyard. 5. Dental ontogeny and life-history strategies: the case of the giant extinct indroids of Madagascar; L.R. Godfrey, et al. 6. A comparative approach to reconstructing the socioecology of extinct primates; C.L. Nunn, C.P. van Schaik. 7. The use of paleocommunity and taphonomic studies in reconstructing primate behavior; K.E. Reed. 8. Reconstructing diets of fossil primates; P. Ungar. 9. Reconstructing social behavior from dimorphism in the fossil record; J.M. Plavcan. 10. The adaptations of Branisella boliviana, the earliest South American monkey; R.F. Kay, et al. 11. Ecomorphology and behavior of giant extinct lemurs from Madagascar; W.L. Jungers, et al. 12. Conclusions: reconstructing behavior in the fossil record; J.M. Plavcan, et al.
£116.99
Cambridge University Press Olduvai Gorge Volume 3 Olduvai Gorge 5 Volume Paperback Set
Book SynopsisOlduvai Groge is a valley in the Serengeti Plains at the western margin of the Eastern Rift Valley in northern Tanzania. The formations discussed in this volume, Beds I and II, were deposited in the Lower and Middle Pleistocene and have yielded large quantities of the remains of early man, in the form of bones and stone tools and evidence of the environment in which they lived. Bed I, in which remains of Australopithecus boisei and Homo habilis have been found, is firmly dated between 1.9 million years for the lowest level and 1.65 million years for a level below the top. This third volume describes the excavations. In Part I, starting with the lowest levels and devoting a chapter to each main level, Dr Leakey describes the actual process of excavation and the finding of the principal remains. In Part II, Dr Leakey describes the circumstances of the discovery of the hominid skeletal remains. These range from purposive excavation to accidental discovery while collecting small stones forTable of ContentsList of figures; List of tables; List of plates; Introductory note; Foreword Professor J. D. Clark; Acknowledgements; Map; Introduction; Geologic background of Beds I and II: Stratigraphic summary Professor R. L. Hay; Part I: 1. Lower bed I. Site DK and site FLK NN: Level 4; 2. Middle bed I. Site FLK NN: Levels 1–3. Site FLK: the 'zinjanthropus' level and the upper levels; 3. Upper bed I and lower bed II. Site FLK north: Levels 1–6, the clay with root casts and the Deinotherium level. Site HWK east: Levels 1 and 2; 4. The lower part of middle bed II. Site HWK east: the sandy conglomerate: Levels 3–5; 5. The upper part of middle bed II. Site EF–HR. The main occupation site at MNK. Sites FC west and FC. Site SHK; 6. Upper bed II. Sites TK and BK; Part II. 7. The discoveries of hominid remains; 8. Mammalian bones from Beds I and II with evidence of hominid modification; 9. The faunal remains from the living sites in Beds I and II; 10. Summary and discussion; Appendices; References; Index.
£39.89
CRC Press Biology and Evolution of the Mollusca
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£81.99
Cambridge University Press Earth History and Palaeogeography
Book SynopsisUsing full-colour palaeogeographical maps from the Cambrian to the present, this interdisciplinary volume explains how plate motions and surface volcanism are linked to processes in the Earth''s mantle, and to climate change and the evolution of the Earth''s biota. These new and very detailed maps provide a complete and integrated Phanerozoic story of palaeogeography. They illustrate the development of all the major mountain-building orogenies. Old lands, seas, ice caps, volcanic regions, reefs, and coal beds are highlighted on the maps, as well as faunal and floral provinces. Many other original diagrams show sections from the Earth''s core, through the mantle, and up to the lithosphere, and how Large Igneous Provinces are generated, helping to understand how plates have appeared, moved, and vanished through time. Supplementary resources are available online, making this an invaluable reference for researchers, graduate students, professional geoscientists and anyone interested in the geological history of the Earth.Trade Review'A state-of-the-art summary of the distribution and history of the continents through geological time, splendidly illustrated. It is a major achievement of geological synthesis and deserves a place in the library of every Earth scientist and palaeontologist.' Richard Fortey, FRS FRSL'Torsvik and Cocks take on the Herculean pursuit of weaving together the palaeogeographic history of planet Earth in a single treatise. The authors take us step by step through the process of assembling palaeogeographic maps using palaeomagnetic, palaeontological, climatological and geological information. Following detailed introductory chapters on methods, descriptions of tectonic units and a review of the Precambrian, the book progresses through the Phanerozoic Eon with a period-by-period discussion of regional and global palaeogeography. In each chapter, the reader is presented with highly detailed palaeogeographic maps (in color) and a comprehensive evaluation of data used in those reconstructions. Torsvik and Cocks' combined decades of geodynamic and palaeontological expertise make this book indispensable to the geological community.' Joseph Meert, University of Florida'Since the advent of plate tectonics, some fifty years ago, geophysicists and palaeontologists have not always agreed on the ancient palaeogeography of the Earth and the position of its continents. This comprehensive and integrated narrative of the moving continents through deep time is the result of a paradigm-shifting collaboration between leaders in both fields and has moved the goal posts. This substantial book, beautifully illustrated and lucidly written, covers not only Earth geography through time but also the basic concepts, some new and innovative, and its relevance to other aspects of the evolution of our planet such as biodiversity and climate through the Phanerozoic. This monumental and superbly produced publication is essential reading for all students of Earth history and will be a lasting source of reference in the field, and beyond.' David Harper, Durham University'Torsvik and Cocks have jointly produced a spectacular textual narrative, laced with marvellous illustrations of the panthalassa framework surrounding the panoply of pangea forms in an effective panorama for the entire Phanerozoic (from the greek: pan = παv = all or entire; thalassa = θαλασσα = sea or ocean; oply = οπλα = complete collection; geo = γαια = earth or land; orama = οραµα = sights).' Rob Van der Voo, University of Michigan'This reference book provides a beautifully illustrated history of our planet, Earth, over the past half billion years. Much of the tome provides detailed worldwide palaeogeographic maps and tectonic history, in chronological order from the Cambrian period, but it also contains a wealth of background and reference material. … The authors have generated software to make flat maps from a spherical Earth. They have made available supplementary online material, which permits anyone to make their own reconstructions at any time period since 540 million years ago. … [I]t is a wonderful reference companion to put any geological read into context.' Maggie Deytrikh, Proceedings of the Open University Geological Society'This incredibly ambitious publication covers more than a half billion years of tectonic movements and paleobiogeographic patterns … the events and patterns discussed do not occur in temporal or spatial isolation. Torsvik and Cocks did an admirable job of acknowledging these boundaries while writing the text in a format that is not confined by those limits. The authors have taken great care to provide extensive maps, including numbering and listing tectonic units in helpful ways … [The book] will provide the broad perspective that is foundational for other types of questions in biogeography. In addition to the unique strength of this volume in synthesizing immense amounts of data, the authors have much more information freely available online. The programs and data at their website open new innovative ways for teaching, the ability to explore research ideas, and a fun way to look at more maps.' Dennis R. Ruez, Jr, The Quarterly Review of BiologyTable of ContentsPreface; Acknowledgments; 1. Introduction; 2. Methods for locating old continents and terranes; 3. Tectonic units of the Earth; 4. Earth's origins and the Precambrian; 5. Cambrian; 6. Ordovician; 7. Silurian; 8. Devonian; 9. Carboniferous; 10. Permian; 11. Triassic; 12. Jurassic; 13. Cretaceous; 14. Paleogene; 15. Neogene and Quaternary; 16. Climates past and present; Endnote; Appendix 1. Location of Phanerozoic Large Igneous Provinces; Appendix 2. Mesozoic to modern Panthalassic and Pacific Ocean plates; Appendix 3. Orogenies; References; Index.
£66.49
Cambridge University Press Dinosaurs
Book SynopsisThe ideal textbook for non-science majors, this lively and engaging introduction encourages students to ask questions, assess data critically and think like a scientist. Building on the success of previous editions, Dinosaurs has been thoroughly updated to include new discoveries in the field, such as the toothed bird specimens found in China and recent discoveries of dinosaur soft anatomy. Illustrations by leading paleontological illustrator John Sibbick and new, carefully-chosen photographs, clearly show how dinosaurs looked, lived and their role in Earth history. Making science accessible and relevant through clear explanations and extensive illustrations, the text guides students through the dinosaur groups, emphasizing scientific concepts rather than presenting endless facts. Grounded in the common language of modern evolutionary biology phylogenetic systematics students learn to think about dinosaurs the way that professional paleontologists do.Trade Review'This book has it all; this new, fourth edition catches up with all the new ideas from the past ten years, and presents the excitement of being a dinosaur scientist, in the field digging up skeletons, but also in the lab, using the latest tools of science to understand how these amazing ancient animals lived.' Michael Benton, University of Bristol, UK'Professors Fastovsky and Weishampel have done it again. They have performed a great service for the paleontological community by keeping their splendid textbook up-to-date. Their text is easily the best available for undergraduate dinosaur courses. The authors write with clarity but also with a fine sense of whimsy. You wish you could sit in their classroom. The book is profusely and expertly illustrated, highlighting key points in dinosaurian anatomy and the phylogenetic framework in which these characters are relevant. With the deft touch of skilled paleontologists, they communicate not only what we know about dinosaurs but how we know it. They also recognize that science is a human endeavor done by real people whose stories they tell. This book is highly recommended for students, teachers and interested lay readers as well.' Peter Dodson, University of Pennsylvania, USA'The best dinosaur textbook on the market. I read an earlier edition when I was a student, and now I recommend it to all high school and college students who want to learn about dinosaurs. This latest edition is packed with the most up-to-date science, and is a masterful overview of what dinosaurs looked like, how they lived, how they evolved, and why they (or most of them) went extinct. Written in fun and accessible prose by two leading dinosaur researchers who are both excellent teachers, this is a book that anyone teaching a dinosaur course will want on their syllabus.' Steve Brusatte, professor and palaeontologist at the University of Edinburgh, UK, and bestselling author of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs'Fully updated and with brand new illustrations, Dinosaurs: A Concise Natural History is the best textbook on the market to guide students and instructors alike navigate through the ever-evolving field of dinosaur paleontology. With its illustrations and sharp (often witty) writing style, this textbook aims to make students understand the key concepts and knowledge at the core of dinosaur paleontology rather than simply memorize dinosaur “facts”. In addition to providing the most up-to-date information about dinosaur lifestyle, appearance, and anatomy, the textbook clearly explains the evolutionary history and interrelationships of each dinosaur group, supported by beautiful illustrations, color photos, and cladograms. All the latest discoveries are discussed and colorfully illustrated. This textbook will prove enlightening to any student interested in dinosaurs and an essential read for anyone considering a career in dinosaur paleontology.' François Therrien, Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, Canada'My highest praise for the 4th edition of Dinosaurs: A Concise Natural History! A plethora of color photographs and engaging illustrations skillfully convey difficult concepts, making intricate techniques like phylogenetic systematics seem effortless to comprehend. New call-out boxes discussing the latest research and unresolved questions in dinosaur paleobiology expose the reader not only to the facts of this discipline, but also the core process of science. With witty, conversational prose, the student is guided through the methods used in discovering knowledge. The result is a deeper appreciation for how we know what we know of dinosaurs and their world, and the use of paleontology as a vehicle for the cultivation of critical thinking skills along the way. This text is a pleasure to read, one that ignites curiosity not just for dinosaurs, but for the process of discovery that restores flesh to these titans.' Frank Varriale, King's College, Wilkes-Barre, USA'This is absolutely the best book I've ever had for my dinosaur class (in 30+ years of teaching it). It is an ideal text for an undergraduate course: up-to-date, lucid, engagingly written, and extravagantly illustrated. The authors communicate science with clarity and enthusiasm. The dinosaurs virtually lumber or scamper off the pages.' Bonnie Rauscher, University of California, Berkeley, USA'A fantastic textbook for students who are casually interested in dinosaurs to advance to a professional level of understanding about dinosaurs - how they evolved, lived their lives, and eventually went extinct millions of years ago.' Benjamin J. Burger, Utah State University, USA'We use Dinosaurs: A Concise Natural History for our basic dinosaur class at Northland Pioneer College. The book attracted attention as it is relatively affordable for students and well-designed. It is a useful summary of current knowledge of dinosaurs that is accessible to college students at any level. Dinosaurs is well organized and abundantly illustrated. The concepts included are accurately presented. Classical and recent techniques used in dinosaur study are incorporated into the text. The book includes information on dinosaurs themselves, geology, their biology, and Mesozoic ecosystems. The text can also serve as a good jumping off-point for discussing concepts of dinosaur evolution, physiology, and anatomy.' David Smith, Northland Pioneer College, Arizona, USA'There are many textbooks on dinosaurs, but this one stands out as perfectly pitched to deliver up-to-date and engaging content that is highly accessible to non-palaeontologists. The focus on dinosaurs as living animals, rather than fossils, allows my zoology students to get to grips with these animals from the behavioural ecology and evolutionary perspectives they are familiar with. No great necessity for details of skeletal anatomy required! The beautiful illustrations and figures make an attractive complement to the text, and the well-chosen selected (further) reading enables students to expand their knowledge further. In short, this is a fantastic book to introduce zoologists and other non-palaeontologists to the biology of one of the world's most iconic group of animals: dinosaurs.' Kevin Arbuckle, Swansea University, UK'The 4th edition of this authoritative textbook brings refreshed and new artwork and insights into dinosaur paleobiology, keeping with the 'paleontology as exemplar of the scientific method' approach of the 3rd edition. In-depth 'boxed' mini-articles go deeper on key topics, and my dinosaur class will enjoy 'The Year of the Ankylosaur (at Least in Canada)' with its focus on Borealopelta and Zuul- the former meaning 'northern shield, and the other named after a fictional monster from the 1984 Ghost Busters movie, a choice 'loved' by Canadian actor Dan Ackroyd from that movie. These well preserved ankylosaurs raised the bar on what we know about these Cretaceous armoured beasts. Content like this adds a whimsy and immediacy to the 4th edition that will engage my students.' David Greenwood, Brandon University, Manitoba, Canada'A superb update, Fastovsky and Weishampel's Dinosaurs is indispensable in the classroom and as a reference text. The additions of new illustrations and research highlight the broadening diversity of the Dinosauria from recent finds around the world. Fastovsky and Weishampel have produced a readable, engaging text that I am sure my students will enjoy as much as I have. The authors should be applauded for producing a high quality, but very much affordable textbook.' Peter Voice, Western Michigan University, USA'Once again Fastovsky and Weishampel excel in producing 'the' dinosaur companion for all to use. Designed for budding undergraduates this is a comprehensive handbook and user guide for all dinosaur enthusiasts. The balance of core science intermingled with jaw dropping artwork and illustrations make this concise guide a very easy walkthrough and read for all ages. Each chapter provides the reader with a succinct summary and reference list providing a wealth of further reading on an already jam-packed series of highly informative and well laid out chapters. I cannot recommend this textbook highly enough.' Nicholas Ray, Nottingham Trent University, UK'This new edition brings the latest science to an already wonderful textbook. Fastovsky and Weishampel discuss the latest research, including ongoing scientific debates, to demonstrate how our understanding of dinosaurs is being revolutionized. The concepts are clear and well-organized, and the book could just as easily be used for a general introduction as an advanced college course. John Sibbick's figures are always engaging, and many have been updated to reflect our newest understanding of dinosaur biology. I strongly recommend this textbook.' David A. Gold, University of California, Davis, USA'This is an excellent, approachable textbook for non-science and science majors with an interest in dinosaurs. As in previous editions, the writing style is captivating and lighthearted, with updates to figures and illustrations that really brings the subject matter to life. The 4th edition has been greatly improved through a reorganization and expansion of important concepts reflecting the latest dinosaur research, especially the addition of new chapters giving context to where dinosaurs came from, and more focus on modern methods and technologies used to examine dinosaur paleobiology. I am especially happy to see the expansion of the 'History of Dinosaur Paleontology Through the Ideas of Dinosaur Paleontologists' chapter, which showcases the amazing diversity of paleontologists working today and highlights where research in the field is heading. This is especially important for encouraging future generations of learners and improving science literacy.' Kirstin Brink, University of MaTable of ContentsPart I. Remembrance of Things Past: 1. To Catch a Dinosaur; 2. Dinosaur Days; 3. Who's Related to Whom – and How Do We Know?; 4. Who Are the Dinosaurs?; 5. In The Beginning; Part II. Saurischia: Meat, Might, Muscle, and Magnitude: 6. Theropoda I: Nature Red In Tooth and Claw; 7. Theropoda II: Meet the Theropods; 8. Theropoda III: The Origin and Early Evolution of Birds; 9. Sauropodomorpha: The Big, the Bizarre, and the Majestic; Part III. Ornithischia: Armored, Horned, and Duck-Billed Dinosaurs: 10. Thyreophora: the Armor-bearers; 11. Marginocephalia: Bumps, Bosses, and Beaks; 12. Ornithopoda: Mighty Mesozoic Masticators; Part IV. Endothermy, Endemism, and Extinction: 13. The Paleobiology of Dinosaurs I; 14. The Paleobiology of Dinosaurs II; 15. The Flowering of the Mesozoic; 16. A History of Dinosaur Paleontology Through the Ideas of Dinosaur Paleontologists ; 17. The Cretaceous–Paleogene Extinction: The Frill is Gone; Glossary; Index of Subjects; Index of Genera.
£49.39
Teacher Created Materials Bones on Display
Book Synopsis
£9.47
Springer Nature Switzerland AG Paleoclimatology
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£119.99
Springer Nature Switzerland AG Ichnology of the Lowlands of South America: Paleoichnological Studies in Continental Cenozoic Rocks
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£83.60
Springer Nature Switzerland AG Fossil Vertebrates of Greece Vol. 1: Basal
Book SynopsisThis 2-volume set provides a state-of-the-art study of the fossil record and taxonomy of the main vertebrate groups from Greece. Greece stands between 3 continents and its vertebrate fossil record is of great importance for paleontological and evolutionary studies in Europe, Asia and Africa. Fossils from classic, world-famous localities (e.g., Pikermi, Samos) form an essential part of the collections of the most important museums in the world and have been studied by numerous scientists. Recent paleontological research led to the discovery and study of numerous new sites. The volumes contain a taxonomic review of all named and identified taxa, their taxonomic history and current status, as well as historical, phylogenetic and biogeographic information. Volume 1 contains a synopsis of the fossil record and taxonomy of important groups of vertebrates represented in the fossil record of Greece. The volume deals with some of the early splitting clades, including the basal and enigmatic conodonts and basal tetrapods like fishes, amphibians, and reptiles like lizards, snakes, crocodiles, turtles and tortoises. The second part of the volume deals with basal mammalian clades, some of which are quite characteristic for the fossil record of the country: aardwarks, hyraxes, proboscideans, elephants and mammoths, sea cows, rodents, and lagomorphs. The volume ends with special chapters on the primate fossil record of the country, including some of our most recent and distant relatives. Table of Contents1-Introduction to the study of Greek Fossil Vertebrates.- 2-Introduction to the geology of Greece with emphasis on the Neogene.- 3-The fossil record of conodonts in Greece.- 4-The fossil record of ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii) in Greece.- 5-The fossil otolith record of fishes (Vertebrata: Teleostei) in Greece.- 6-The fossil record of lizards and snakes (Reptilia: Squamata) in Greece.- 7-The fossil record of amphibians (Amphibia: Urodela and Anura) in Greece.- 8-The fossil record of crocodylians (Reptilia: Crocodylia) in Greece.- 9-The fossil record of turtles and tortoises (Reptilia: Testudines) in Greece.- 10-The fossil record of aardwarks (Mammalia: Tubulidentata: Orycteropodidae) in Greece.- 11-The fossil record of hyraxes (Mammalia: Pliohyracidae) in Greece.- 12-The fossil record of the Neogene Proboscidea (Mammalia) in Greece.- 13-The fossil record of contintental elephants and mammoths (Mammalia: Proboscidea: Elephantidae) in Greece.- 14-The fossil record of sea cows (Mammalia: Sirenia) in Greece.- 15-The fossil record of rodents (Mammalia: Rodentia) in Greece.- 16-The fossil record of hares, rabbits and pikas (Mammalia: Lagomorpha) in Greece.- 17-The fossil record of the Old World monkeys (Mammalia: Primates: Cercopithecidae) in Greece.- 18-The fossil record of the Miocene hominoids (Mammalia: Primates: Hominoidea) in Greece.- 19-The hominin fossil record from Greece.
£123.49
Springer International Publishing AG Ancient Hydrocarbon Seeps
Book SynopsisThis volume details the function of hydrocarbon seeps, their evolution over time, the most important seep occurrences and the fauna present in ancient hydrocarbon seeps. While several publications exist that cover modern seeps and vents, fossil seeps only constitute a small component of the literature. As such, many geologists, stratigraphers and paleontologists, as well as undergraduates and graduate students, are not very familiar with ancient hydrocarbon seep deposits and their associated fauna. This text is the first to comprehensively discuss the nature of such animal groups and how to recognize them. In addition to summarizing available knowledge on these topics for specialists in the field, this book offers the background needed to be of use to students as well as the wider community of geologists and paleontologists.Table of ContentsChapter 1-Introduction.- Chapter 2-Biogeochemical processes.- Chapter 3-Taphonomy and diagenesis of seeps.- Chapter 4-Biota.- Chapter 5-Seeps around the world.- Chapter 6-Seeps as ecosystems.- Chapter 7-Evolution of seep communities over geological time.- Chapter 8-Cognate communities.
£110.45
Springer International Publishing AG Human Paleontology and Prehistory: Contributions
Book SynopsisThe aim of the book is to present original and though-provoking essays in human paleontology and prehistory, which are at the forefront of human evolutionary research, in honor of Professor Yoel Rak (a leading scholar in paleoanthropology). The volume presents a collection of original papers contributed by many of Yoel's friends and colleagues from all over the globe. Contributions from experts around the globe fall roughly into three broad categories: Reflections on some of the broad theoretical questions of evolution, and especially about human evolution; the early hominins, with special emphasis on Australopithecus afarensis and Paranthropus; and the Neanderthals, that contentious group of our closest extinct relatives. Within and across these categories, nearly every paper addresses combinations of methodological, analytical and theoretical questions that are pertinent to the whole human evolutionary time span. This book will appeal most to scholars and advanced students in paleoanthropology, human paleontology and prehistoric archaeology.Table of Contents1 Why Was Human Evolution So Rapid.- 2 Wallace's Controversy with Darwin on Man's Mental Evolution, on the Position of the Natives in Human Evolution and his Anticipation of Cultural Evolution, as Distinct from Biological Evolution.- 3 Man’s Place in Past and Future Evolution: A Historical Survey of Remarkable Ideas.- 4 The Paleoecology of the Upper Ndolanya Beds, Laetoli, Tanzania, and Its Implications for Hominin Evolution.- 5 The Australopithecine Brain: Controversies Perpetual.- 6 Posture, Locomotion and Bipedality: The Case of the Gerenuk (Litocranius walleri). 7 Canine Height and Jaw Gape in Catarrhines with Reference to Canine Reduction in Early Hominins.-8 Paranthropus: Where Do Things Stand? 9 Feeding Behavior and Diet in Paranthropus Boisei: The Limits of Functional Inferences from the Mandible.- 10 Aspects of Mandibular Ontogeny in Australopithecus afarensis.- 11 Middle Pleistocene Homo crania from Broken Hill and Petralona: Morphology, Metric Comparisons, and Evolutionary Relationship.-12 Thermoregulation in Homo erectus and Neanderthals: A Reassessment Using a Segmented Model.-13 Behavioral Differences between Near Eastern Neanderthals and the Early Modern Humans from Skhul and Qafzeh: An Assessment Based on Comparative Samples of Holocene Humans.- 14 The Acheulo-Yabrudian – Early Middle Paleolithic Sequence of Misliya Cave, Mount Carmel, Israel.- 15 A 3-D Look at the Tabun C2 Jaw.-16 The Dentition of the Earliest Modern Humans: How ‘Modern’ Are They?.-17 Talking Hyoids and Talking Neanderthals.- 18 3D Reconstruction of the Spinal Posture of the Kebara 2 Neanderthal.- 19 Brother or Other? The Place of Neanderthals in Human Evolution.
£98.99
Springer Verlag, Singapore A Synthesis of Depositional Sequence of the Proterozoic Vindhyan Supergroup in Son Valley: A Field Guide
Book SynopsisThis book offers extensive information on the course of sedimentation in the Proterozoic Vindhyan Basin and the potential record of ancient life stored within the rocks. It covers topics ranging from facies analysis to sequence-building, from carbonates to siliciclastics, and mixed lithology and life records from microbial to potentially eukaryotes, along with the basin evolutionary history. Further, the book includes 75 color photographs and accompanying hand-sketches to help readers grasp key aspects of Vindhyan Geology. Vindhyan rocks are well known for their excellent preservation of microbial record of earth. Offering a student-friendly field guide containing detailed route maps, geological maps and a wealth of visual examples, it is also extremely useful in terms of understanding the microbe-dominated environments on Mars.Trade Review“The book is primarily meant for graduate students … . The book is also useful in planning field trips to be organized for students and researchers. … Throughout the book, excellent field photographs illustrate the lithofacies and sedimentary structures well, and add to visual pleasure. … Reference list is up-to-date … attesting to the fact that readers are getting first-hand information in this book. … Certainly the libraries can subscribe to this useful field guide.” (Dilip Saha, Journal of Earth System Science, Vol. 131, 2022)“The authors have ably combined their research findings and field traverse recordings, references in an exemplary manner and on reading the book it brings a virtual field trip to the Vindhyan Supergroup. … The authors’ wide experience and publications on the Vindhyan sequence are added merit of this book. An ideal book for students, researchers and trainee geologists. I congratulate the authors for their contribution and sharing their field knowledge and experience in this book.” (R. Nagendra, Journal of the Geological Society of India, Vol. 97, November, 2021)Table of ContentsGeological Background.- Facies, Paleogeography and Sequence Stratigraphy.- Selected Traverses.- Selected Field Sections.- Microbial Mat Structures Formed Within Siliciclastics.- Index.
£80.99
Columbia University Press Paleoclimates
Book SynopsisTrade ReviewSheds light on modern trends on modern trends in the Earth's climate. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society A promising overview of the science of paleoclimatology... recommended. Choice Everyone curious about the climate system, its history and current state of understanding... would be well-advised to acquire a copy of this erudite and elegantly written book. -- D.Q. Bowen Quarternary Science Reviews I strongly recommend this book as essential background material for graduate students, an up-to-date review for researchers in the field and an important resource for anyone with a general interest in climatic change. -- Iain Robertson The Holocene an excellent review and stimulating discussion of the state of art and current hot topics in this socio-economically important discipline to the scientific community of palaeoclimate researchers and students in this field. Polar Research There is much to be recommended, and the book will serve well in many libraries, both institutional and personal. -- A. Townsend Peterson Quaterly Review of BiologyTable of ContentsList of Tables Preface Acknowledgments Abbreviations 1. Paleoclimatology and Modern Challenges 2. Methods in Paleoclimatology 3. Deep Time: Climate from 3.8 Billion to 65 Million Years Ago 4. Cenozoic Climate 5. Orbital Climate Change 6. Glacial Millennial Climate Change 7. Millennial Climate Events During Deglaciation 8. Holocene Climate Variability 9. Abrupt Climate Events 10. Internal Modes of Climate Variability 11. The Anthropocene I: Global and Hemispheric Temperature 12. The Anthropocene II: Climatic and Hydrological Change During the Last 2000 Years Epilogue Appendix: Paleoclimate Proxies References Index
£73.60
Indiana University Press The Desert Bones
Book SynopsisTrade Review"All too often, our concept of dinosaurs and deep time are based on fossils from Europe and North America. In this richly illustrated and readable volume, Jamale Ijouiher chronicles the Cretaceous fossil record of North Africa, one of the most exciting frontiers in paleontology research today. You'll learn all about African dinosaurs and the worlds they inhabited—the plants, the insects, the fish, and the other reptiles they lived with. This book goes to show that it's not just all about T. rex and Triceratops fighting in the jungles of ancient America; there were fascinating and fantastic dinosaurs that lived all over the world, and some of the most stunning new fossils are coming from Africa."—Steve Brusatte, University of Edinburgh and New York Times bestselling author of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs"Jamale Ijouiher has brought together information from a wide variety of primary literature on the flora and fauna of this part of Gondwana during Cenomanian and early Turonian time. This information can give a very detailed picture of the medial Cretaceous evolution of an area which has a great deal of biogeographic significance. The Desert Bones will be of particular interest to anyone studying fossil communities and how ecosystems evolved over time"—Barbara Smith Grandstaff, University of PennsylvaniaTable of ContentsAcknowledgmentsPrefaceMuseum AbbreviationsIntroduction1. The Palaeoenvironments and Stratigraphy of North Africa2. The Flora of North Africa3. The Fauna of North Africa: Invertebrates4. The Fauna of North Africa: Vertebrates (fish)5. The Fauna of North Africa: Vertebrates (tetrapods)6. North African Ecology7. The March of the Oysters8. The Cenomanian Mass ExtinctionAppendixLiterature Cited
£48.60
Princeton University Press Life on a Young Planet
Book SynopsisKnoll explores the deep history of life from its origins on a young planet to the incredible Cambrian explosion, with the very latest discoveries in paleontology integrated with emerging insights from molecular biology and earth system science. 100 illustrations.Trade ReviewWinner of the 2003 Book Award in Science, Phi Beta Kappa "A fascinating book... The catastrophic surface narrative of this impressive and intriguing book would surely have pleased Stephen Jay Gould; but I think its deterministic subtext would have pleased Charles Darwin still more."--Matt Cartmill, Times Literary Supplement "In a book so well written that nonspecialists and specialists alike will find much to savor, [Knoll] captures both the excitement of scientific discovery and the intricacies of scientific interpretation... Readers interested in substance will certainly not be disappointed."--Publishers Weekly "Andrew Knoll is an ideal guide through this early phase of life's history on the Earth... [O]ne of the strengths of Knoll's book is that it presents science as the open-ended endeavor that it is... Life on a Young Planet . .. expresses better than most the bumptious vitality and sheer fun of open-minded research."--Stefan Bengtson, Nature "Life on a Young Planet stands apart from it predecessors in two fundamental respects. First, Knoll is perhaps the most qualified person to write such an epic: a renaissance man whose text is filled with insightful quotes from authors ranging from Darwin to Dickins to Dyson... Second ... this book describes the coevolution of life on Earth as an integrated biochemical system that has profoundly and irrevocably changed over time."--Guy M. Narbonne, Science "A balanced, excellent account of current theories and discussions of the origin and early evolution of life... Knoll is able to convey difficult scientific issues with a minimum of jargon, using a brisk and witty prose... He is a gifted storyteller with a knack for choosing the right anecdote... A browse through Knoll's book will enlighten both the cognoscenti and those unfamiliar with the complexities of reading a fossil record... Knoll manages to present a multidisciplinary field in an interdisciplinary volume."--Antonio Lazcano, American Scientist "Knoll is well placed to tell this amazing story, and he does so with verve."--Douglas Palmer, New Scientist "A detective story to match the best crime fiction. It is told with verve."--Paul Nettleton, The Guardian "The author weaves a beautifully written, fascinating story of life's origin and development based on his extensive field studies and research in the most remote corners of the globe... This volume ... is a most valuable asset that should be read by scientists active in the field, by teachers and students who are interested in the most recent thoughts on the subject, and, in fact, by anyone who is interested in how life might have originated and evolved on this planet or on other similar planets in our Universe."--Nathan Dubowsky, Science Books & Films "This is not a textbook but rather a story, giving one person's view of how the jigsaw pieces fit together. It is written in flowing prose with many asides, personal anecdotes and explanations of what evidence there is and how it is used... [F]or ecologists the book has much to offer in putting the early evolution of life into perspective."--Bulletin of the British Ecological Society "[Knoll's] words have a poetic flavor and his deep interest in the study of life on earth flows out of them, carrying readers along whole maintaining a rigorous discourse. Knoll's book will appeal to anyone interested in the evolution of life on Earth."--Choice "In this wonderful book ... Knoll's extensive field experience and eagerness to share data and ideas with colleagues enable him to reconstruct responsibly the broad evolutionary scenario yet to remain close to the evidence."--Lynn Margulis, Times Higher Education SupplementTable of ContentsAcknowledgments ix Preface to the New Paperback Edition xi Prologue 1 Chapter 1. In the Beginning? 6 Chapter 2. The Tree of Life 16 Chapter 3. Life's Signature in Ancient Rocks 32 Chapter 4. The Earliest Glimmers of Life 50 Chapter 5. The Emergence of Life 72 Chapter 6. The Oxygen Revolution 89 Chapter 7. The Cyanobacteria, Life's Microbial Heroes 108 Chapter 8. The Origins of Eukaryotic Cells 122 Chapter 9. Fossils of Early Eukaryotes 139 Chapter 10. Animals Take the Stage 161 Chapter 11. Cambrian Redux 179 Chapter 12. Dynamic Earth, Permissive Ecology 206 Chapter 13. Paleontology ad Astra 225 Epilogue 243 Further Reading 247 Index 269
£15.29
Johns Hopkins University Press The Evolution of Artiodactyls
Book SynopsisTheodor, University of Calgary; Mark D. Uhen, Cranbrook Institute of Science; Inessa Vislobokova, Russian Academy of SciencesTrade ReviewScientifically detailed and professionally produced... Highly recommended. Choice 2008 A solid and valuable resource. -- Maureen A. O'Leary Journal of Mammalian Evolution 2008 Without a doubt, for anyone working on artiodactyls this is an essential reference. This is the most up to date collection of work on fossil artiodactyls, including those outside North America, published in decades. -- B.L. Beatty PalArch's Journal of Vertebrate Palaeontology 2009Table of ContentsAcknoledgmentsList of Contributors1. Introduction2. Molecular Phylogeny of Terrestrial Artiodactyls: Conflicts and Resolution3. Phylogenetic Relationships of Cetacceans to Terrestrial Artiodactyls4. The Earliest Artiodactyls: Diacodexeidae, Dichobunidae, Homacodontidae, Leptochoeridae, and Raoellidae5. Endemic European Paleogene Artiodactyls: Cebochoeridae, Choeropotamidae, Mixtotheriidae, Cainotheriidae, Anoplptheriidae, Xiphontidae, and Amphimerycidae6. Family Helohyidae7. Family Anthracotheriidae8. Family Hippopotamidae9. Family Entelodontidae10. Superfamily Suoidae11. Family Agriochoeridae12. Family Agriochoeridae12. Family Merycoidodontidae13. Family Protoceratidae14. Family Camelidae15. Basal Ruminants16. Family Tragulidae17. Family Moschidae18. Family Antilocapridae19. Family Paleopmerycidae20. Family Cervidae21. Family Giraffidae22. Family Bovidae23. Artiodactyl Paleoecology and Evolutionary Trends24. SummaryReferences Index
£96.48
Johns Hopkins University Press Extinction and Radiation How the Fall of
Book SynopsisPiecing together evidence from both molecular biology and the fossil record, Archibald shows how science is edging closer to understanding exactly what happened during the mass extinctions near the K/T boundary and the radiation that followed.Trade ReviewHighly recommended. Choice A learned essay, written clearly and attractively for students and the public. -- Michael J. Benton Cambridge Archaeological Journal What makes Archibald's book a highly recommendable example of the scientific process is that the author carefully lays out all the paleontological evidence available to him and uses that evidence to evaluate the many possible explanations of the extinction, discussing the strengths, weaknesses, and limitations of each explanation in the process. Reports of the National Center for Science Education This is a learned essay, written clearly and attractively for students and the public. -- Michael J. Benton Geological Magazine An excellent compendium of the current state of paleontological knowledge about the contemporaneous histories of these two groups. -- Mark A. McPeek Quarterly Review of Biology A highly recommendable example of the scientific process is that the author carefully lays out all the paleontological evidence available to him and uses that evidence to evaluate the many possible explanations of the extinction. -- P David Polly Reports of the National Center for Science Education The book itself is a handsome quarto volume illustrated by good drawings and graphs. It will be most useful to paleontologists, evolutionary biologists and biogeographers. It will stand as a good example of what can be accomplished in academia. Priscum, Newsletter of the Paleontological Society Books like Extinction and Radiation enable interested members of the general public to share in the excitement of the arugment. -- Nicholas Gould International Zoo News This volume is logically organized, easily readable, and a noteworthy synthesis of the current state of our knowledge of the disappearance of nonavian dinosaurs and mammalian radiation. It is a useful reference from an acknowledged authority in the field and valuable for students, teachers, scientists, and all people interested in the evolution and fate of our planet and its biodiversity. Journal of MammalogyTable of ContentsPreface1. The Late Cretaceous Nonavian Dinosaur Record2. In the Shadow of Nonavian Dinosaurs3. In Search of Our Most Ancient Eutherian Ancestors4. Patterns of Extinction at the K/ T Boundary5. Causes of Extinction at the K/ T Boundary6. After the Impact: Modern Mammals, When and WhenceEpilogueNotesReferencesIndex
£50.15
Johns Hopkins University Press The Rise of Birds
Book SynopsisHis compelling, occasionally controversial, revelations-accompanied by spectacular illustrations-are a must-read for anyone with a serious interest in the evolution of the feathered dinosaurs, from vertebrate paleontologists and ornithologists to naturalists and birders.Trade ReviewChatterjee takes us to where long-hidden bird fossils dwell. His compelling, occasionally controversial, revelations-accompanied by spectacular illustrations-are a must-read for anyone with a serious interest in the evolution of 'the feathered dinosaurs,' from vertebrate paleontologists and ornithologists to naturalists and birders... A must have for anyone with a serious interest in fossil birds. Birdbooker Report A beautifully written and illustrated volume on the origin and evolution of birds. -- Michael Hutchins The Rostrum ... An easy read and can and should be read and understood by anyone interested in the subject. British Trust for OrnithologyTable of ContentsPreface to the Second EditionPreface to the First Edition1. Mesozoic Pompeii2. The Evolution of an Airframe3. The Origin of Birds4. Archaeopteryx5. Protoavis6. Basal Avialans7. Pygostylia8. Enantiornithes9. Ornithuromorphs10. The End- Cretaceous Mass Extinction11. The Avian Revolution Begins12. The Origin of Flight13. Eggs, Embryos, and Heterochrony14. Feathers and Footprints15. The Feeding Mechanism and Cranial Kinesis16. Birds and HumansBibliographyIndex
£46.35
Johns Hopkins University Press Mammalian Paleoecology
Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThis book is a neatly crafted package that gives the reader all the required background knowledge, while its case studies make for fascinating reading.—Inquisitive BiologistThis book is highly recommended to people who are interested in paleontology of mammals and how this science can help us to understand us how organisms respond and adapt to environmental changes.—Suiform SoundingsTable of ContentsAcknowledgements1. IntroductionPart I: General Principles of Paleoecology2. Old Bones, footprints and trace evidence of life 3. Taphonomy -putting the dead to work4. Determining age and context Part II: Characterizing the ecology of fossil organisms5. On being the right size6. Show me your teeth and I will tell you what you are7. Stable isotopes and the reconstruction of mammalian movement, diet and trophic relationships8. Non-traditional 'fossils'9. Reconstructing past climate Part III: Using paleoecology to understand the present10. The past as prologue: the importance of a deeper temporal perspective in climate change research11. Biodiversity on EarthIndex
£68.00
The University of Chicago Press Vanished Giants
Book SynopsisTrade Review"Stuart reveals the vibrant lives of Pleistocene megafauna, driven extinct by climate change and human hunters. Can lessons from the past halt a sixth mass extinction?" * New Scientist, "Don't Miss" *"Woolly rhinos, mammoths, saber-toothed cats and other astounding animals once roamed the Earth. How did they live and what caused their extinction? This illustrated book delves into the world of the Pleistocene with lessons about our current conservation crises." * Bookseller *“Deft and entertaining, Vanished Giants reveals the ‘hugest, fiercest, and strangest’ Ice Age animals—mastodons, saber-toothed cats, immense ground sloths, and other odd, extinct creatures. Relaying research in an accessible way and with informative illustrations, this enthralling paleontology text discusses megafauna in order of geographic regions and in the context of disparate climates, habitats, and human settlements. . . . Stuart’s conclusions about global extinction patterns are as fascinating and complex as the species he examines themselves, and his reflections about how similar forces threaten so many large animals today makes this an important and captivating book.” -- Rachel Jagareski * Foreword Reviews *"Vanished Giants provides a fascinating introduction to the Ice Age biota and a judicious assessment of the nature and causes of the megafaunal extinctions during the last 100,000 years." * Metascience *“Clearly written by an author with a long pedigree working on these animals, this is an interesting overview of the Ice Age megafauna and its extinction in the Pleistocene and Holocene. Vanished Giants is superior to other books in the field in providing much more detail on the animals themselves. Stuart has produced thorough coverage of all the extinct megafauna with a description (usually with an illustration) and discussion of their lifestyles. He also discusses the debate on the causes of these extinctions, which for many years have been polarized into human-driven—often called the Blitzkrieg hypothesis—and climate-driven causes. It is a fascinating topic and surely one of the most intense ongoing debates in science, certainly in paleontology.” -- Paul Wignall, professor of paleoenvironments, University of Leeds“We are very quick to blame species decline on human action. Although this is certainly the cause today, it is not necessarily the case historically. Stuart raises the potential for more localized events, providing evidence of small meteorite impacts, hyperdisease, and more, for the decline of Ice Age megafaunal communities around the globe. This is fascinating. Stuart discusses different species and different regions that were affected, starting with Eurasia, then heading to North America, the most famous region with the most recognized species to go extinct: mammoth, ground sloth, camelids, sabretooth cats. The conclusions are broad because, as Stuart points out, there is not a straightforward answer to the question. The illustrations are superb, and with the sheer inclusivity of time, geography, and species covered, Vanished Giants really enhances the field. An excellent book.” -- Neil Gostling, lecturer in evolution and paleobiology, University of SouthamptonTable of Contents1 Introduction 2 Crises in the History of Life 3 The Ice Age and the Megafauna 4 Cold Case: The Search for the Ice Age Killer 5 Northern Eurasia: Woolly Rhinos, Cave Bears, and Giant Deer 6 North America: Mastodon, Ground Sloths, and Sabertooth Cats 7 South America: Ground Sloths and Glyptodonts 8 Sahul: Giant Marsupials, a Thunderbird, and a Huge Lizard 9 Madagascar: Giant Lemurs, Elephant Birds, and Dwarf Hippos 10 New Zealand: Land of the Moa 11 Island Megafauna 12 Megafaunal Survival: Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia 13 Summary and Conclusions: The Global Pattern of Megafaunal Extinctions Acknowledgments Appendix: Dating the Past Notes References Index
£26.60
Cambridge University Press Climate Modes of the Phanerozoic
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£104.50
University of California Press Twilight of the Mammoths
Book SynopsisTaking readers from Rampart Cave in the Grand Canyon, to other important fossil sites in Arizona and Chile, this book covers the rich evolutionary legacy and shows why the author has come to believe that the earliest Americans literally hunted these animals to death.Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Acknowledgments Prologue 1 Discovering the Last Lost World Radiocarbon Dating and Quaternary Extinctions 2 Overview of Overkill 3 Ground Sloth Dung and Packrat Middens Giant Meat-Eating Bats? 4 Ground Sloths at Home Cryptozoology, Ground Sloths, and Mapinguari National Park 5 Grand Canyon Suite: Mountain Goats, Condors, Equids, and Mammoths 6 Deadly Syncopation 7 Digging for the First People in America: High Stakes at Tule Springs Tricks, Hoaxes, and Bad Science 8 Kill Sites, Sacred Sites 9 Models in Collision: Climatic Change versus Overkill 10 Restoration Unexpected Ramifications of Ecological Change 11 Resurrection: The Past Is Future Epilogue References Index
£22.50
Johns Hopkins University Press The Rise of Amphibians 365 Million Years of
Book SynopsisThe most comprehensive examination of amphibian evolution ever produced, The Rise of Amphibians is an essential resource for paleontologists, herpetologists, geologists, and evolutionary biologists.Trade ReviewI highly recommend The Rise of Amphibians to anyone interested not only in amphibians but also in the evolutionary history of vertebrates in general. -- Hans-Dieter Sues Integrative and Comparative Biology 2009 A high-quality production, with finely illustrated drawings of skulls, vertebrae, ribs, teeth, and long bones of more amphibians, past and present, than most of us imagined even existed. -- Whit Gibbons Tuscaloosa News 2009 The Rise of Amphibians should be on the bookshelf of anyone involved in vertebrate evolution... an excellent source of information... It is a first-choice reference book that stimulates further studies and research. -- Axel Janke Systematic Biology 2010 Provides a wealth of valuable information about this fascinating history in a clear, easily readable style. -- Robert R. Reisz Quarterly Review of Biology 2010 I enjoyed reading this fascinating book. It will become a landmark and standard reference in early amphibian evolution for years to come. -- Miguel Vences Bioscience 2010 A useful reference catalog for the professional or well-read amateur. -- Richard Kissel American Paleontologist 2010Table of ContentsPrefaceAcknowledgments1. History of the Earth and Life2. Advanced Metazoans and the Ancestry of Vertebrates3. The Origin of Amphibians4. The Radiation of Carboniferous Amphibians5. Adaptation, Radiation, and Relationships6. The Zenith of Amphibian Diversity7. The Origin of Amniotes: Escape from the Water8. Stereospondyls: Escape from the Land9. The Enigma of Modern Amphibian Origins10. The Ancestry of Frogs11. The Ancestry of Salamanders12. Eocaecilia and the Origin of Caecilians13. The Success of Modern Amphibians14. The Future of AmphibiansAbbreviations Used in IllustrationsGlossaryReferencesIndex
£60.00
Indiana University Press Plants in Mesozoic Time Morphological
Book SynopsisShowcases research of broad botanical and paleontological interest from the world's experts on Mesozoic plant life. This title covers various aspects of plant group - ranging from horsetails to ginkgophytes, from cycads to conifers - and relates them to key innovations in structure, phylogenetic relationships, Mesozoic vegetation.Trade ReviewThe assortment of writings will interest a broad array of investigators. . . . Recommended. * Choice *The 14 chapters in this edited volume provide a broad and a fascinating view of the flora of the Mesozoic . . . The range of topics in this book means that there should be something for anyone with an interest in paleobotany. . . Vol. 86 * Quarterly Review of Biology *[This] volume is immaculately edited, outstandingly readable and beautifully illustrated. * American Paleontologist *[T]he book will indoubtedly be invaluable to graduate students, faculty, and researchers in the fields of biology, botany, and paleontology. 2011 * American Reference Books Annual *This book will be a valuable reference for anyone interested in the biology, paleontology, and paleobotany of the Mesozoic flora and fauna including earth and life scientists and academics, plaeontologists, geologists, and environmental scientists. This very detailed book clearly represents a lifetime of study by the author and is a valuable contribution to the literature. * Plant Science Bulletin *Table of ContentsPreface, Dedication, and Acknowledgments / Carole T. GeeThe Career of Ted Delevoryas: Appreciation and Publications / Thomas N. Taylor, Edith L. Taylor, and Charles P. DaghlianPart 1. Innovations in Mesozoic Plants 1. Architectural Innovation and Developmental Controls in Some Mesozoic Gymnosperms, or, Why Do The Leaf Crowns in Mesozoic Forests Look Tufted? / Ian Sussex, Nancy Kerk, and Carole T. Gee 2. Modern Traits in Early Mesozoic Sphenophytes: The Equisetum-like Cones of Spaciinodum collinsonii with In Situ Spores and Elaters from the Middle Triassic of Antarctica / Andrew B. Schwendemann, Thomas N. Taylor, Edith L. Taylor, Michael Krings, and Jeffrey M. Osborn 3. Pollen and Coprolite Structure in Cycadeoidea (Bennettitales): Implications for Understanding Pollination and Mating Systems in Mesozoic Cycadeoids / Jeffrey M. Osborn and Mackenzie L. Taylor 4. Independent Evolution of Seed Enclosure in the Bennettitales: Evidence from the Anatomically Preserved Cone Foxeoidea connatum gen. et sp. nov. / Gar W. Rothwell and Ruth A. Stockey 5. A Mosaic of Characters in a New Whole-Plant Araucaria, A. delevoryasii Gee sp. nov., from the Late Jurassic Morrison Formation of Wyoming, U.S.A. / Carole T. Gee and William D. Tidwell 6. Major Innovations in Angiosperm Evolution / David L. Dilcher 7. Implications of Fossil Floral Data on Understanding the Early Evolution of Molecular Developmental Controls of Flowers / David Winship TaylorPart 2. Phylogeny of Mesozoic Plants 8. Late Triassic Ginkgoleans of North America / Sidney R. Ash 9. Review of the Cycads and Bennettitaleans from the Mesozoic of Argentina / N. Rubén Cúneo, Ignacio Escapa, Liliana Villar de Seoane, Analía Artabe, and Silvia Gnaedinger 10. The Bennettitales (Cycadeoidales): A Preliminary Perspective on This Arguably Enigmatic Group / William L. Crepet and Dennis W. Stevenson 11. Endemism of Early Cretaceous Conifers in Western Gondwana / Sergio Archangelsky and Georgina M. Del Fueyo 12. Oldest Known Dicotyledonous Lianas from the Early Cretaceous of Utah and New Mexico, U.S.A. / William D. Tidwell, Sidney R. Ash, and Brooks B. BrittPart 3. Ecosystems and Mesozoic Plants 13. Palynological Evidence for Conifer Dominance within a Heterogeneous Landscape in the Late Jurassic Morrison Formation, U.S.A. / Carol L. Hotton and Nina L. Baghai-Riding 14. Mesozoic Plants and Dinosaur Herbivory / P. Martin Sander, Carole T. Gee, Jürgen Hummel, and Marcus ClaussContributorsIndex
£62.90
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Fossil Men The Quest for the Oldest Skeleton and
Book SynopsisTrade Review"[A] riveting account. ... In places, Fossil Men seems more reality television show than a work of popular science, as we follow an outrageous cast. ... The story lines border on the insane: There are civil wars, gunfights, at least one grenade rolling around the feet of scientists as they drive into the desert. ... Pattison... is every bit as good as the best scientist-writers. He describes the intricacies of the human wrist and foot with the skill of a poet... [and] explains in clear and compelling prose how scientists build family trees of ancient species." — New York Times Book Review "Entertaining. ... Satisfying. ... Gripping. ... Big personalities, simmering turmoil, and fascinating popular science." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “At the core of Kermit Pattison’s rip-roaring tale is the prickly, obsessive, brilliant American paleonaut, Tim White, who braves revolutions, tribal warfare, and bitter scientific rivals to unearth ancient bones, without which there would be no pre-history, no civilization, no humanity.” — PETER NICHOLS, New York Times bestselling author of The Rocks and Evolution's Captain "Brilliant. ... A work of staggering depth. ... Pattison deftly weaves strands of science, sociology and political science into a compelling tale that stretches over decades. ... His prose is lively and accessible. ... An ambitious work that fully justifies the extraordinary effort that went into it, both by the fossil men and by the writer who chronicled their work." — Minneapolis Star Tribune “Fossil Men is a wonderful mix of history, science and politics, full of pathos and insight in equal measure. I found it difficult to put down, and I didn’t want it to end....This book should be required reading for all those who care about how science may help answer the question of who we are as humans. A monumental achievement!” — HASOK CHANG, Professor of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Cambridge "An exciting book, full of colorful personalities, momentous discoveries, and new ideas that challenge us to reconsider everything we believed about the evolution of humankind." — Booklist "Compelling science. ... Perfect for National Geographic readers who want to dig deep into the human evolutionary tree." — Library Journal "A riveting story of academic, political, and personal intrigue." — Christian Science Monitor (Best Books of November 2020 Roundup) "A dazzling journey into deep geological time. ... Pattinson combines his meticulously researched examination of the science of ancient humans with a visceral and penetrating tale of... intrigue, academic rivalry, pathological jealousy and intellectual inertia. He uses his first-hand experience of being on site in Ethiopia to detail the art, science, joys and challenges of fossil-hunting. ... Fascinating. ... Unexpected and revelatory." — The Spectator (London) "Equal parts biography and adventure novel, Pattison illustrates the colorful characters — flaws and all — whose research has shaped our origin story as we know it today." — Discover magazine “[A] lively debut. … Pattison ably combines the adventure yarn with scientific minutiae. … Those interested in human origins should check out this vivid and thorough study.” — Publishers Weekly "Blends science and drama to tell the story of a major paleoanthropology find. ... For anyone interested in fossil hunting, evolutionary science and a hominid skeleton like no other, this book delivers." — Science News “Pattison weaves the multiple intrigues of science, politics, and personalities into a masterly structured tale…. Leaves readers with a new sense of wonder at the origins of humankind.” — Christian Science Monitor "Fascinating. ... Exciting." — Twin Cities Pioneer Press "Any science-minded person... will truly enjoy Fossil Men." — Danville Commercial-News "Perceptive and revealing. ... Pattison has a commendable and enviable grasp of a wide range of difficult methods and concepts, and he does a fine job of presenting and explaining the many scientific developments that have enriched the way we interpret the hominin fossil record.” — Journal of Human Evolution
£23.75
iUniverse Trilobites of Black Cat Mountain
a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.
£24.25
Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University A Thousand and One Fossils: Discoveries in the
Book SynopsisA lavish volume in celebration of the astonishing fossils uncovered in Abu Dhabi’s deserts, a region once lush, green, and teeming with now-extinct animals This lavish volume celebrates the astonishing wealth of fossils uncovered in recent decades in Abu Dhabi’s desert. These prehistoric findings, around seven million years in age, record a period when the region was lush, green, and teeming with diverse mammals, all now extinct. With more than one hundred full-color photographs, including reconstructions of extinct animals, this book is both a visual delight and a unique glimpse into Arabia’s ancient past. All text in the book is presented in both English and Arabic.Distributed for the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History
£40.00
Indiana University Press Beast Companions
Book Synopsis
£31.50
Oxford University Press Fossils
Book SynopsisFossils have been vital to our understanding of the formation of the earth and the origins of all life on it. However, their impact has not been limited to debates about geology and evolution: attempts to explain their existence has shaken religion at its very roots, and they have remained a subject of ceaseless fascination for people of all ages and backgrounds. In this delightful book, Keith Thomson provides a remarkably all-encompassing explanation of fossils as a phenomenon. How did Darwin use fossils to support his theory of evolution? What are ''living fossils''? What fossils will we leave behind for future generations to examine? Building on the scientific aspects, he places fossils in a very human context, highlighting their impact on philosophy and mythology, our concept of time, and today''s popular culture. What quickly becomes obvious is that the discovery of fossils and the ways in which they have been interpreted over time makes for fascinating reading. From the black market to the Piltdown Man, and from mythological dragons to living dinosaurs, fossils hold a permanent place in the popular imagination.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of Contents1. Introduction ; 2. A cultural phenomenon ; 3. In the popular imagination ; 4. Some things we know, some things we don't ; 5. Against the odds ; 6. Bringing fossils to life ; 7. Evolving ; 8. Of molecules and man ; 9. Fakes and fortunes ; 10. Back to the future ; Further reading
£9.49
Oxford University Press The History of Life
Book SynopsisThere are few stories more remarkable than the evolution of life on earth. This Very Short Introduction presents a succinct guide to the key episodes in that story - from the very origins of life four million years ago to the extraordinary diversity of species around the globe today. Beginning with an explanation of the controversies surrounding the birth of life itself, each following chapter tells of a major breakthrough that made new forms of life possible: including sex and multicellularity, hard skeletons, and the move to land. Along the way, we witness the greatest mass extinction, the first forests, the rise of modern ecosystems, and, most recently, conscious humans. Introducing ideas from a range of scientific disciplines, from evolutionary biology and earth history, to geochemistry, palaeontology, and systematics, Michael Benton explains how modern science pieces the evidence in this vast evolutionary puzzle together, to build up an accessible and up-to-date picture of the key developments in the history of life on earth.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of Contents1. Introduction ; 2. The origin of life ; 3. The origin of sex ; 4. The origin of skeletons ; 5. The origin of life on land ; 6. Forests and flight ; 7. The biggest mass extinction ; 8. The origin of modern ecosystems ; 9. The origin of humans ; References and Further Reading
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers First Steps
Book SynopsisHumans are the only mammals to walk on two, rather than four, legs. From an evolutionary perspective, this is an illogical development, as it slows us down. But here we are, suggesting there must have been something tremendous to gain from bipedalism.First Steps takes our ordinary, everyday walking experience and reveals how unusual and extraordinary it truly is. The seven-million-year-long journey through the origins of upright walking shows how it was in fact a gateway to many of the other attributes that make us humanfrom our technological skills and sociality to our thirst for exploration.DeSilva uses early human evolution to explain the instinct that propels a crawling infant to toddle onto two feet, differences between how men and women tend to walk, physical costs of upright walking, including hernias, varicose veins and backache, and the challenges of childbirth imposed by a bipedal pelvis. And he theorises that upright walking may have laid the foundation for the traits of comTrade Review‘A book that strides confidently across complex terrain, laying out what we know about how walking works, who started doing it and when … DeSilva is a genial companion on this stroll through the deep origins of walking … Illuminating’ New York Times ‘This is breezy popular science at its best, interweaving anecdotes from the field and lab with scientific findings and the occasional pop culture reference … compelling’ Science News ‘Before our ancestors thought symbolically, before they used fire, before they made stone tools, or even entered the open savanna, our ancestors walked upright. In one way or another, this odd locomotory style has underwritten the whole spectrum of our vaunted human uniquenesses, from our manual dexterity to our hairless bodies, and our large brains. In the modern world it even influences the way other people recognise us at a distance, and it is crucial to our individual viability. In this authoritative but charmingly discursive and accessible book, Jeremy DeSilva lucidly explains how and why.’ Ian Tattersall, author of Masters of the Planet and The Strange Case of the Rickety Cossack ‘Master anatomist and paleontologist Jeremy DeSilva makes no bones about the fact that when looking at fossils “I let myself be emotional …” Thus does this world expert and gifted story teller take us on a tour through the sprawling, complicated, saga of human origins. Drawing on his personal knowledge of topics ranging from sports medicine to childcare and his acquaintance with a host of colourful characters –whether lying inert in museum drawer, sitting behind microscopes or feuding with one other – DeSilva adds flesh and projects feelings onto the bones he studies, a tour de force of empathic understanding.’ Sarah Blaffer Hrdy, author of Mother Nature and Mothers and Others: The Evolutionary Origins of Mutual Understanding
£19.00
Indiana University Press Life Traces of the Georgia Coast Revealing the
Book SynopsisShows how ancient trace fossils directly relate to modern traces and tracemakers, among them, insects, grasses, crabs, shorebirds, alligators, and sea turtlesTrade ReviewThis book provides a hefty summary of [Martin's] research; it is scientifically rigorous but still tells a good story, and is often quite humorous. Detailed descriptions of plant, invertebrate, and vertebrate traces are accompanied by many photos and diagrams. . . . Highly recommended. * Choice *Anthony Martin has done an excellent job in presenting the field of ichnology in an engaging and entertaining way that will hopefully inspire a new generation of ichnologists. * Priscum *For a teacher who takes students to beaches or barrier islands, this is an excellent comprehensive guide that reveals the surface and depths of traces found in maritime forests, dunes, beaches and tidal flats. Martin's book is not just a low country boil, it is a feast salted with humor and insights. * This View of Life *This tour de force is of far greater general interest than the title might suggest...[It] provides a hefty summary of [Martin's] research; it is scientifically rigorous but still tells a good story, and is often quite humorous. Detailed descriptions of plant, invertebrate, and vertebrate traces are accompanied by many photos and diagrams....Highly recommended.Table of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgments1. Introduction to Ichnology of the Georgia Coast2. History of the Georgia Coast and Its Ichnology3. Tracemaker Habitats and Substrates4. Marginal-Marine and Terrestrial Plants5. Terrestrial Invertebrates6. Marginal-Marine Invertebrates7. Terrestrial Vertebrates, Part I: Fish, Amphibians, Reptiles8. Terrestrial Vertebrates, Part II: Birds and Mammals9. Marginal-Marine and Marine Vertebrates10. Trace Fossils and the Georgia Coast11. Future Studies, Future TracesAppendixBibliographyIndex
£40.50
Indiana University Press Rhinoceros Giants The Paleobiology of
Book SynopsisA book for everyone fascinated by the huge beasts that once roamed the earthTrade ReviewIn a look at the biggest of these wonders . . . Prothero delves into these overlooked big guys, the most massive mammals to ever walk the Earth . . . [and] cuts across every aspect of paleontology to tell the story of these vanished giants. Chapters range from entertaining recounting of discoverers . . . to scholarly descriptions of the rules that biologists must follow to name a new species or estimate a vanished rhino's weight. * USA Today *Through copious background details, Prothero celebrates great and lesser-known names in the history of paleontology, as well as geological and taxonomic nitty gritty. * National Geographic Laelaps *Within this slim tome . . . Prothero packs in an encyclopedic summary of indrithocere anatomy and biology . . . Highly recommended. * Choice *Clearly, this book is a milestone on the subject, one of those books that are a classic already at their first appearance. * Priscum *Table of ContentsPreface1. Quicksand!2. 30 Million Years Ago in Asia3. "New Conquest of Central Asia"4. Rhinoceroses without Horns5. Building a Giant6. What's in a Name?7. Life among GiantsBibliographyIndex
£29.70
British Geological Survey Belemnites Earthwise Discovering Geology
Book Synopsis
£5.19
British Geological Survey Ammonites Fossil Focus Guide Earthwise
Book Synopsis
£5.19
