This book presents a comprehensive overview of the science of the history of life. Paleobiologists bring many analytical tools to bear in interpreting the fossil record and the book introduces the latest techniques, from multivariate investigations of biogeography and biostratigraphy to engineering analysis of dinosaur skulls, and from homeobox genes to cladistics.
All the well-known fossil groups are included, including microfossils and invertebrates, but an important feature is the thorough coverage of plants, vertebrates and trace fossils together with discussion of the origins of both life and the metazoans. All key related subjects are introduced, such as systematics, ecology, evolution and development, stratigraphy and their roles in understanding where life came from and how it evolved and diversified.
Unique features of the book are the numerous case studies from current research that lead students to the primary literature, analytical and mathematical explanations and tools, together with associated problem sets and practical schedules for instructors and students.
New to this edition
The text and figures have been updated throughout to reflect current opinion on all aspectsNew case studies illustrate the chapters, drawn from a broad distribution internationallyChapters on Macroevolution, Form and Function, Mass extinctions, Origin of Life, and Origin of Metazoans have been entirely rewritten to reflect substantial advances in these topicsThere is a new focus on careers in paleobiology
Preface xi
Acknowledgments xiii
1 Paleontology as a science 1
Introduction 2
Paleontology in the modern world 2
Paleontology as a science 3
Steps to understanding 12
Fossils and evolution 16
Paleontology today 17
Review questions 23
Further reading 23
References 24
2 Stratigraphy 25
Introduction 26
How stratigraphy works 26
New techniques, new tools 40
Geological time scale: a common language 46
Extraterrestrial stratigraphy 47
Review questions 48
Further reading 48
References 49
3 Paleogeography and paleoclimates 50
Paleobiogeography 50
Fossils in mountain belts 64
Paleoclimates 69
The Anthropocene 76
Review questions 77
Further reading 77
References 77
4 Paleoecology 80
Introduction 81
Taphonomic constraints: sifting through the debris 83
Populations: can groups of individuals make a difference? 85
Habitats and niches 86
Paleocommunities 95
Evolutionary paleoecology 100
Ecological ranking of mass extinctions 110
Full contents vii
Review questions 112
Further reading 112
References 112
5 Taphonomy and the quality of the fossil record 115
Introduction 116
Fossil preservation 116
Quality of the fossil record 130
Review questions 137
Further reading 138
References 138
6 Fossil form and function 140
Introduction 141
Growth and form 141
Evolution and development 147
Interpreting the function of fossils 152
Review questions 163
Further reading 164
References 164
7 Macroevolution and the tree of life 165
Introduction 166
Evolution by natural selection 167
Evolution and the fossil record 170
Trends and radiations 179
The tree of life 184
Review questions 191
Further reading 191
References 191
8 Biodiversity, extinction, and mass extinction 193
Introduction 194
The diversification of life 195
Mass extinctions 202
The big five mass extinction events 207
Extinction then and now 215
Review questions 220
Further reading 220
References 221
9 The origin of life 223
Introduction 224
The origin of life 224
Evidence for the origin of life 228
Life diversifies: eukaryotes 236
Review questions 245
Further reading 246
References 246
10 Protists 248
Introduction 249
Protozoa 252
Mystery protists of the proterozoic and paleozoic 260
Phytoplankton 266
Review questions 277
Further reading 277
References 277
11 Origin and expansion of the metazoans 279
Origins and classification 280
Invertebrate body and skeletal plans 284
Five key faunas 289
Review questions 304
Further reading 304
References 304
12 The basal metazoans: sponges and corals 306
Introduction 307
Porifera 307
Cnidaria 322
Review questions 341
Further reading 342
References 342
13 Lophophorates 1: brachiopods and bryozoans 344
Introduction 345
Brachiopoda 345
Bryozoa 360
Review questions 369
Further reading 370
References 370
14 Lophotrochozoans 2: mollusks and annelids 372
Mollusks 372
Introduction 373
Early mollusks 375
Class Bivalvia 380
Class Gastropoda 384
Class Cephalopoda 390
Class Scaphopoda 403
Class Rostroconcha 403
Evolutionary trends within the Mollusca 404
Annelids 406
Review questions 410
Further reading 410
References 410
15 Ecdysozoa: arthropods 412
Introduction 413
Early arthropod faunas 413
Subphylum Trilobitomorpha (artiopoda) 416
Subphylum Chelicerata 428
Subphylum Myriapoda 430
Subphylum Hexapoda 430
Subphylum Crustacea 433
Exceptional arthropod faunas through time 438
Review questions 442
Further reading 442
References 443
16 Deuterostomes: echinoderms and hemichordates 445
Introduction 446
Echinoderms 446
Hemichordates 468
Review questions 484
Further reading 484
References 484
17 Fishes and basal tetrapods 486
Introduction 487
Origin of the vertebrates 487
Jaws and fish evolution 492
Tetrapods 498
Reign of the reptiles 503
Review questions 510
Further reading 510
References 511
18 Dinosaurs and mammals 512
Introduction 513
Dinosaurs and their kin 513
Bird evolution 521
Rise of the mammals 522
The line to humans 530
Review questions 536
Further reading 536
References 537
19 Fossil plants and fungi 538
Introduction 539
Terrestrialization of plants 539
The great coal forests 547
Seed-bearing plants 552
Flowering plants 562
Review questions 568
Further reading 568
References 568
20 Trace fossils 570
Introduction 571
Understanding trace fossils 571
Trace fossils in sediments 578
Review questions 592
Further reading 592
References 592
Finale 594
Glossary 598
Appendix 1: Stratigraphic chart 617
Appendix 2: Paleogeographic maps 619
Index 620
