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Ruling Reptiles: Crocodylian Biology and Archosaur Paleobiology (Life of the Past)
Par James O. Farlow, Matthew F. Bonnan, Ray Wilhite, Christine Böhmer, Stephanie K. Drumheller, Roger S. Seymour, Hendrik Klein, Holly N. Woodward, Ricardo Araújo, Vincent Fernandez, Peter S. Johnston, Christopher R. Langel, Sarah W. Keenan, Marisa Tellez, Patrick V. Wheatley, Ryan J. Haupt, Alexander K. Hastings, Domenic C. D'Amore, Jackson K. Njau, Lucy Gomes de Souza, Rodrigo Vargas Pêgas, Mauro Bruno da Silva Lacerda, Kirstin S. Brink, Aaron R. LeBlanc, Thomas M. Cullen, Alida M. Bailleul, Mary H. Schweitzer, Julia Audije-Gil, Fernando Barroso-Barcenilla, Oscar Cambra-Moo, Haley D. O'Brien, Peter Brice, Gordon Grigg, Cory J. Kumagai. 2023
Modern crocodylians—crocodiles, alligators, caiman (Central and South America), and gharials (India)—have evolved over 250 million years from a fully terrestrial,…
bipedal ancestor. Along with birds, crocodylians are the only living members of Archosauria, the group including nonavian dinosaurs. Ruling Reptiles features contributions on a broad range of topics surrounding crocodylian evolution and biology including osteology, osteohistology, developmental biology, myology, odontology, functional morphology, allometry, body size estimation, taphonomy, parasitology, ecology, thermophysiology, and ichnology. It demonstrates how the wide variety of these studies can also provide crucial insights into dinosaurian biology and evolution.Featuring the latest findings and interpretations, Ruling Reptiles: Crocodylian Biology and Archosaur Paleobiology is an essential resource for zoologists, biologists, and paleontologists.Evolution of Cenozoic Land Mammal Faunas and Ecosystems: 25 Years of the NOW Database of Fossil Mammals (Vertebrate Paleobiology and Paleoanthropology)
Par Christine M. Janis, Isaac Casanovas-Vilar, Lars W. van den Hoek Ostende, Juha Saarinen. 2023
This volume presents an array of different case studies which take as primary material data sourced from the NOW (‘New…
and Old Worlds’) database of fossil mammals. The NOW database was one of the very first large paleobiological databases, and since 1996 it has been expanded from including mainly Neogene European land mammals to cover the entire Cenozoic at a global scale. In the last two decades the number of works that are based in the use of huge databases to explore ecological and evolutionary questions has increased exponentially, and even though the importance of big data in paleobiological research has been outlined in selected chapters of general works, no volume has appeared before this one which solely focuses on the databases as a primary source in reconstructing the past. The purpose of this book is to provide an illustrative volume showing the importance of big data in paleobiological research, and presenting a broad array of unpublished examples and case studies. The book is mainly aimed to professional palaeobiologists working with Cenozoic land mammals, but the scope of the book is broad enough to fit the interest for evolutionary biologists, paleoclimatologists and paleoecologists.The volume is divided in four parts. The first part includes two chapters on the development of large paleobiological databases, providing a first-hand account on the logic and the functioning of these databases. This is a much-needed perspective which is ignored by most researchers and users of such databases and, even if centered in the NOW database, the lessons that can be learned from this part can be extended to other examples. After this introductory part, the body of the book follows and is divided into three parts: patterns in regional faunas; large scale patterns and processes; and ecological, biogeographical and evolutionary patterns of key taxa. Each chapter is written by well-known specialists in the field, with some participation of members of the NOW advisory board. The array of selected mammal taxa ranges from carnivores, equids, ruminants and rodents to the genus Homo. The topics studied also include the diversification and radiation of major clades, large-scale paleobiogeographical patterns, the evolution of ecomorphological patterns and paleobiological problems such as evolution of body size or species longevity. In most cases the results are discussed in relation to protracted environmental or paleogeographic changes.Horned Armadillos and Rafting Monkeys: The Fascinating Fossil Mammals of South America (Life Of The Past Ser.)
Par Darin A. Croft, Velizar Simeonovski. 2016
South America is home to some of the most distinctive mammals on Earth--giant armadillos, tiny anteaters, the world's largest rodent,…
and its smallest deer. But the continent once supported a variety of other equally intriguing mammals that have no close living relatives: armored mammals with tail clubs, saber-toothed marsupials, and even a swimming sloth. We know of the existence of these peculiar species thanks to South America's rich fossil record, which provides many glimpses of prehistoric mammals and the ecosystems in which they lived. Organized as a "walk through time" and featuring species from 15 important fossil sites, this book is the most extensive and richly illustrated volume devoted exclusively to the Cenozoic mammals of South America. The text is supported by 75 life reconstructions of extinct species in their native habitats, as well as photographs of fossil specimens and the sites highlighted in the book. An annotated bibliography is included for those interested in delving into the scientific literature.In Pursuit of Early Mammals (Life Of The Past Ser.)
Par Zofia Kielan-Jaworowska. 2013
In Pursuit of Early Mammals presents the history of the mammals that lived during the Mesozoic era, the time when…
dinosaurs ruled the Earth, and describes their origins, anatomy, systematics, paleobiology, and distribution. It also tells the story of the author, a world-renowned specialist on these animals, and the other prominent paleontologists who have studied them. Zofia Kielan-Jaworowska was the first woman to lead large-scale paleontological expeditions, including eight to the Gobi Desert in Mongolia, which brought back important collections of dinosaur, early mammal, and other fossils. She shares the difficulties and pleasures encountered in finding rare fossils and describes the changing views on early mammals made possible by these discoveries.Across the Bridge: Understanding the Origin of the Vertebrates
Par Henry Gee. 2018
Our understanding of vertebrate origins and the backbone of human history evolves with each new fossil find and DNA map.…
Many species have now had their genomes sequenced, and molecular techniques allow genetic inspection of even non-model organisms. But as longtime Nature editor Henry Gee argues in Across the Bridge, despite these giant strides and our deepening understanding of how vertebrates fit into the tree of life, the morphological chasm between vertebrates and invertebrates remains vast and enigmatic. As Gee shows, even as scientific advances have falsified a variety of theories linking these groups, the extant relatives of vertebrates are too few for effective genetic analysis. Moreover, the more we learn about the species that do remain—from sea-squirts to starfish—the clearer it becomes that they are too far evolved along their own courses to be of much use in reconstructing what the latest invertebrate ancestors of vertebrates looked like. Fossils present yet further problems of interpretation. Tracing both the fast-changing science that has helped illuminate the intricacies of vertebrate evolution as well as the limits of that science, Across the Bridge helps us to see how far the field has come in crossing the invertebrate-to-vertebrate divide—and how far we still have to go.Horned Armadillos and Rafting Monkeys: The Fascinating Fossil Mammals of South America (Life Of The Past Ser.)
Par Darin A. Croft, Velizar Simeonovski. 2016
South America is home to some of the most distinctive mammals on Earth--giant armadillos, tiny anteaters, the world's largest rodent,…
and its smallest deer. But the continent once supported a variety of other equally intriguing mammals that have no close living relatives: armored mammals with tail clubs, saber-toothed marsupials, and even a swimming sloth. We know of the existence of these peculiar species thanks to South America's rich fossil record, which provides many glimpses of prehistoric mammals and the ecosystems in which they lived. Organized as a "walk through time" and featuring species from 15 important fossil sites, this book is the most extensive and richly illustrated volume devoted exclusively to the Cenozoic mammals of South America. The text is supported by 75 life reconstructions of extinct species in their native habitats, as well as photographs of fossil specimens and the sites highlighted in the book. An annotated bibliography is included for those interested in delving into the scientific literature.The Story of the Dinosaurs in 25 Discoveries: Amazing Fossils and the People Who Found Them
Par Donald R. Prothero. 2019
Today, any kid can rattle off the names of dozens of dinosaurs. But it took centuries of scientific effort—and a…
lot of luck—to discover and establish the diversity of dinosaur species we now know. How did we learn that Triceratops had three horns? Why don’t many paleontologists consider Brontosaurus a valid species? What convinced scientists that modern birds are relatives of ancient Velociraptor?In The Story of the Dinosaurs in 25 Discoveries, Donald R. Prothero tells the fascinating stories behind the most important fossil finds and the intrepid researchers who unearthed them. In twenty-five vivid vignettes, he weaves together dramatic tales of dinosaur discoveries with what modern science now knows about the species to which they belong. Prothero takes us from eighteenth-century sightings of colossal bones taken for biblical giants through recent discoveries of enormous predators even larger than Tyrannosaurus. He recounts the escapades of the larger-than-life personalities who made modern paleontology, including scientific rivalries like the nineteenth-century “Bone Wars.” Prothero also details how to draw the boundaries between species and explores debates such as whether dinosaurs had feathers, explaining the findings that settled them or keep them going. Throughout, he offers a clear and rigorous look at what paleontologists consider sound interpretation of evidence. An essential read for any dinosaur lover, this book teaches us to see an ancient world ruled by giant majestic creatures anew.Evolution: The Origins and Mechanisms of Diversity
Par Jonathan Bard. 2021
Evolution is the single unifying principle of biology and core to everything in the life sciences. More than a century…
of work by scientists from across the biological spectrum has produced a detailed history of life across the phyla and explained the mechanisms by which new species form. This textbook covers both this history and the mechanisms of speciation; it also aims to provide students with the background needed to read the research literature on evolution. Students will therefore learn about cladistics, molecular phylogenies, the molecular-genetical basis of evolutionary change including the important role of protein networks, symbionts and holobionts, together with the core principles of developmental biology. The book also includes introductory appendices that provide background knowledge on, for example, the diversity of life today, fossils, the geology of Earth and the history of evolutionary thought. Key Features Summarizes the origins of life and the evolution of the eukaryotic cell and of Urbilateria, the last common ancestor of invertebrates and vertebrates. Reviews the history of life across the phyla based on the fossil record and computational phylogenetics. Explains evo-devo and the generation of anatomical novelties. Illustrates the roles of small populations, genetic drift, mutation and selection in speciation. Documents human evolution using the fossil record and evidence of dispersal across the world leading to the emergence of modern humans.How To Keep Dinosaurs
Par Robert Mash. 2004
Hollywood and the popular press would have us believe that all dinosaurs are gigantic, hostile and untameable. In fact, there…
are many species that make charming and even useful companions: Velociraptor - a splendid, loyal, fierce, friendDeinonychus - will not eat dog food (dogs are another matter)Tyrannosaurus - least suitable to keep; will need special licenceOrnithomimus - an appealing first dinosaur for the child anxious for her first rideThis book advises you which dinosaur is right for you and your home, from the city apartment dweller looking for a lap pet, to the country estate owner looking to tighten up on security. HOW TO KEEP DINOSAURS is a bestselling guide, packed with the sort of information keen dinosaur keepers crave - from feeding and housing to curing common ailments, breeding and showing your animal. The author, a zoologist with extensive experience of dinosaurs, has provided a timely and much-needed source book for all those who keep dinosaurs and for the huge numbers who are contemplating getting one. It is as essential to every dinosaur keeper as a stout shovel and a tranquilliser rifle.How To Keep Dinosaurs: The perfect mix of humour and science
Par Robert Mash. 2020
'Who could resist a handbook about potential pets that has a little symbol for "likes children" and a separate one…
for "likes children to eat"... wonderful' GUARDIANHollywood and the popular press would have us believe that all dinosaurs are gigantic, hostile and untameable. In fact, there are many species that make charming and even useful companions: Velociraptor - a splendid, loyal, fierce, friendDeinonychus - will not eat dog food (dogs are another matter)Tyrannosaurus - least suitable to keep; will need special licenceOrnithomimus - an appealing first dinosaur for the child anxious for her first rideThis book advises you which dinosaur is right for you and your home, from the city apartment dweller looking for a lap pet, to the country estate owner looking to tighten up on security. HOW TO KEEP DINOSAURS is a bestselling guide, packed with the sort of information keen dinosaur keepers crave - from feeding and housing to curing common ailments, breeding and showing your animal. The author, a zoologist with extensive experience of dinosaurs, has provided a timely and much-needed source book for all those who keep dinosaurs and for the huge numbers who are contemplating getting one. It is as essential to every dinosaur keeper as a stout shovel and a tranquilliser rifle.Cave Detectives: Unraveling the Mystery of an Ice Age Cave
Par David L. Harrison. 2007
&“Vivid descriptions of the animals, the cave, and the scientists are complemented by the original art and photos that work…
together unusually well.&” —Booklist What was life like millions of years ago? The answer lies deep underground, in a place once home to a ferocious predator much larger than most animals walking around today. Through photographs and detailed illustrations, readers will learn how the secrets buried in a midwestern hillside helped scientists understand early life on Earth. This book&’s simple but informative format allows readers to follow along as paleontologist Matt Forir and his team of experts unravel a prehistoric mystery. &“[An] account of the discovery and early exploration of Missouri&’s Riverbluff Cave, the oldest found so far in this country with fossil remains . . . may excite curiosity about the Riverbluff finds.&” —Kirkus ReviewsThe Complete Dinosaur: The Most Complete, Up-to-date Encyclopedia For Dinosaur Lovers Of All Ages (Life of the Past)
Par M. K. Brett-Surman, Thomas R. Holtz, Jr. James O. Farlow Bob Walters, Art Consultant. 2012
A new edition of the illustrated compendium that is &“a gift to serious dinosaur enthusiasts&” (Science). What do we…
know about dinosaurs, and how do we know it? How did they grow, move, eat, and reproduce? Were they warm-blooded or cold-blooded? How intelligent were they? How are the various groups of dinosaurs related to each other, and to other kinds of living and extinct vertebrates? What can the study of dinosaurs tell us about the process of evolution? And why did typical dinosaurs become extinct? These questions and more are addressed in this new, expanded edition of The Complete Dinosaur. Written by leading experts on the &“fearfully great&” reptiles, the book covers what we have learned about dinosaurs, from the earliest discoveries to the most recent controversies. Where scientific contention exists, the editors have let the experts agree to disagree. The Complete Dinosaur is a feast for serious dinosaur lovers, from the enthusiastic amateur to the professional paleontologist. Praise for the first edition: &“An excellent encyclopedia that serves as a nice bridge between popular and scholarly dinosaur literature.&” —Library Journal (starred review) &“Stimulating armchair company for cold winter evenings. . . . Best of all, the book treats dinosaurs as intellectual fun.&” —New Scientist &“Useful both as a reference and as a browse-and-enjoy compendium.&” —Natural History &“Copiously illustrated and scrupulously up-to-date.&” —Publishers Weekly &“The amount of information in [these] pages is amazing. This book should be on the shelves of dinosaur freaks as well as those who need to know more about the paleobiology of extinct animals. It will be an invaluable library reference.&” —American Reference Books AnnualAn extensive, illustrated study of the ancient fish and marine reptiles who once lived in a tropical lagoon that is…
now a Swiss mountain.Told in rich detail and with gorgeous color recreations, this is the story of marine life in the age before the dinosaurs. During the Middle Triassic Period (247–237 million years ago), the mountain of Monte San Giorgio in Switzerland was a tropical lagoon. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it boasts an astonishing fossil record of marine life from that time. Attracted to an incredibly diverse and well-preserved set of fossils, Swiss and Italian paleontologists have been excavating the mountain since 1850.Synthesizing and interpreting over a century of discoveries through a critical twenty-first century lens, paleontologist Olivier Rieppel tells for the first time the complete story of the fish and marine reptiles who made that long-ago lagoon their home. Through careful analysis and vividly rendered recreations, he offers memorable glimpses of not only what Thalattosaurs, Protorosaurs, Ichthyosaurs,Pachypleurosaurs, and other marine life looked like but how they moved and lived in the lagoon.An invaluable resource for specialists and accessible to all, this book is essential to all who are fascinated with ancient marine life.Praise for Mesozoic Sea Dragons“The most comprehensive review of the Middle Triassic marine faunas of Monte San Giorgio published to date. It synthesizes a vast body of literature in an accessible way and provides an informative, beautifully illustrated review of the vertebrate life that once thrived in the ancient lagoon. It also delivers a fascinating account of the history of fossil discoveries of this remarkable site.” —Palaeontologia ElectronicaDinosaurs: The Myth-busting Guide to Prehistoric Beasts
Par Bbc ScienceFocus. 2019
From the BBC, a book &“packed with facts and illustrations on the latest finds and theories for dinosaur enthusiasts of all…
ages.&” —Mike Fredericks, Editor, Prehistoric Times Magazine If everything you know about dinosaurs comes from Hollywood movies, get ready for some surprises in this lively, myth-busting book. The latest scientific research is changing assumptions and providing a far different perspective on these magnificent creatures. Rather than being slow, lumbering and a bit stupid, dinosaurs were smart and nimble-brained—just ask the paleontologists who are peering deep inside the fossilized skulls of these prehistoric animals. Learn how dinosaurs conquered the world, what would have happened if the asteroid hadn't hit Mexico, what T. rex really looked (and sounded) like, and the modern-day dinosaurs living in your back yard. Loaded with in-depth articles and stunning color illustrations, Dinosaurs: The Myth-Busting Guide to Prehistoric Beasts is the ultimate guide to the newest dinosaur discoveries. &“Fun and fascinating . . . find out how the real dinosaurs lived their lives, what they looked like, how they sounded, and how we know all that!&” —Midwest Book Review This is a fixed-format ebook, which preserves the design and layout of the original print bookUncover the ancient past—a guide to fantastic fossils for kids ages 6 to 8 Set off on an amazing adventure…
into the prehistoric past when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Fossils for Kids is filled with fascinating photographs and captivating facts that will teach junior fossil hunters how fossils form, where they are found, and tips on how to identify them. Start by learning more about some of your favorite dinosaurs—from Velociraptor to Tyrannosaurus rex—and where you can see the coolest dinosaur skeletons. Then discover the creatures that predate even the dinosaurs! You'll meet famous birds, like the Archaeopteryx, explore tiny invertebrate trilobites, and learn which ancient plant is the source of a delicious drink—root beer! Fossils for Kids includes: Beyond dinos—You won't just be learning about dinosaurs; this book covers mammals, other reptiles, and plant fossils. Greater knowledge—Use the fun sidebars to dive deeper into the fossil world and get more hands-on learning. Clear images—The colorful pictures allow you to easily identify fossils. It's time to unearth your scientific curiosity—there's no telling what you'll find using Fossils for Kids as your guide.Flying Dinosaurs: How Fearsome Reptiles Became Birds
Par John Pickrell. 2014
&“It will be difficult for any reader to think about dinosaurs—or birds—in the same ways they had before.&”—Publishers Weekly …
The discovery of stunning, feathered dinosaur fossils coming out of China in the twentieth century suggests that these creatures were much more bird-like than paleontologists previously imagined. Further evidence—bones, genetics, eggs, behavior, and more—has shown a seamless transition from fleet-footed carnivores to the ancestors of modern birds. Mixing colorful portraits with news on the latest fossil findings and interviews with leading paleontologists in the United States, China, Europe, and Australia, John Pickrell explains and details dinosaurs&’ development of flight. This special capacity introduced a whole new range of abilities for the animals and helped them survive a mass extinction, when thousands of other dinosaur species that once populated Earth did not. Pickrell also turns his journalistic eye toward the stories behind the latest discoveries, investigating the role of the Chinese black market in trading fossils, the controversies among various dinosaur hunters, the interference of national governments intent on protecting scientific information, and the race to publish findings first that make this research such a dynamic area of science. &“Fascinating.&”We Went to Find a Woolly Mammoth (We Went to Find... #1)
Par Catherine Cawthorne. 2023
We went to find a woolly mammoth ... and it was NOWHERE to be found.It wasn't chilling on the snow-covered…
lands. Or swimming in the icy river. And it DEFINITELY wasn't hiding in the frozen forest. Everywhere we looked, we found strange creatures instead. There was a hairy scary woolly rhino rolling around in some grass (weird ... we thought it always snowed in the Ice Age). A spotty dotty sabre-tooth cat that was ready for a fight (RUN!) And a spiky feisty giant armadillo (but I crept right past him - armadillos are pretty blind you know ...). But absolutely NO mammoths.Where could such a HUGE great MAMMOOSIVE creature be hiding?Meet some of the incredible and unbelievably large creatures from the Ice Age in this laugh-out-loud picture book story that features hilarious, fascinating and slightly bizarre facts throughout. Perfect for fans of We're Going on a Bear Hunt.Life Through the Ages II: Twenty-first Century Visions of Prehistory (Life Of The Past Ser.)
Par Mark P. Witton. 2020
A paleontologist shows what life was like on our planet long before the early humans emerged through words and illustrations.…
Paleontologist Dr. Mark P. Witton draws on the latest twenty-first century discoveries to re-create the appearances and lifestyles of extinct, fascinating species, the environments they inhabited, and the challenges they faced living on an ever-changing planet. A worthy successor to Charles Knight&’s beloved 1946 classic, Life through the Ages II takes us on an unforgettable journey through the evolution of life on Earth. Dozens of gorgeous color illustrations and meticulously researched, accompanying commentary showcase the succession of lost worlds, defining events, and ancient creatures that have appeared since the earth was formed, creating an indispensable guide to explore what came before us.&“When it comes to modern palaeoartists, Mark Witton has become a leading light. Life Through the Ages II is a beautiful palaeoart portfolio that pushes the envelope where realistic compositions and reconstructions are concerned.&” —The Inquisitive BiologistThe Dawn of the Deed: The Prehistoric Origins of Sex
Par John A. Long. 2012
&“[A] deliciously written account of the evolution of sex, in all of its bizarre manifestations&” by a noted paleontologist—"Read, blush,…
and enjoy!&” (Jared Diamond, author of Guns, Germs, and Steel). We all know about the birds and the bees, but what about the ancient placoderm fishes and the dinosaurs? In 2008, paleontologist John A. Long and a team of researchers announced their discovery of a 380-million-year-old placoderm fish fossil, known as &“the mother fish,&” which revealed the earliest known example of internal fertilization. As a result, placoderms are now considered to be the first species to have had intimate sexual reproduction, or sex as we know it—sort of. Inspired by this incredible find, Long began a quest to uncover the evolutionary history of copulation and insemination. In The Dawn of the Deed, he takes readers on a lively tour through the sex lives of ancient fish and the unusual mating habits of arthropods, tortoises, and even a well-endowed Argentine Duck. Long discusses these discoveries alongside what we know about reproductive biology and evolutionary theory, using the fossil record to provide a provocative account of prehistoric sex. The Dawn of the Deed also explores fascinating revelations about animal reproduction, from homosexual penguins to monogamous seahorses to the difficulties of dinosaur romance.