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.
?..any serious student of geology who does not pick this
book off the shelf will be putting themselves at a huge
disadvantage. The material may be complex, but the text is
extremely accessible and well organized, and the book ought to be
essential reading for palaeontologists at undergraduate,
postgraduate and more advanced levels?both in Britain as well
as in North America.? Falcon-Lang, H., Proc. Geol.
Assoc. 2010
??this is an excellent introduction to palaeontology
in general. It is well structured, accessibly written and
pleasantly informative ?..I would recommend this as a
standard reference text to all my students without
hesitation.? David Norman Geol Mag 2010
Companion website
This book includes a companion website at:
www.blackwellpublishing.com/paleobiology
The website includes:
* An
ongoing database of additional Practical?s prepared by
the authors
* Figures
from the text for downloading
* Useful
links for each chapter
* Updates
from the authors
Author Biography
Michael J. Benton is Professor of Vertebrate Palaeontology
at the University of Bristol. He is interested particularly in
early reptiles, Triassic dinosaurs and macroevolution, and has
published 50 books and 160 scientific articles.
David Harper is a leading expert on fossil brachiopods
and numerical methods in palaeontology. He is Professor of
Palaeontology in the University of Copenhagen, where he is
currently Head of Geology in the Natural History Museum of Denmark.
He has published over 10 books and monographs, including a couple
of influential textbooks, as well as over 250 scientific articles
and, together with Oyvind Hammer, the widely-used software
package PAST. His time is divided between collection management,
exhibition work, research and some teaching.
