A comprehensive introduction to all aspects of palaeontology. It starts with a discussion of the basic principles of the subject and goes on to describe the principal features of all the main fossil groups including plants, invertebrates, vertebrates, trace fossils and microfossils. Written by two leading palaentologists, the text includes many modern ideas resulting from an improved understanding of evolution and the fossil record, palaeobiology and palaeoecology. The final chapter summarises the history of life, introducing large-scale evolution and extinctions.
FREE Two-Day Shipping for Students. Learn more |
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"The shear scope of the book is a marvel. The easily accessible English which has been employed by the authors makes this book a sure-fire hit for anyone with a basic grasp of palaeontology and who needs to acquire an authoritative overview of the seemingly disparate parts of the subject. Introduction to Paleobiology and the Fossil Records is therefore perfect for undergraduate and postgraduate students of palaeontology; however, it will also endear it to anybody with a palaeontological background or interest. It is an outstanding contribution and in my opinion a must for all." (Geological Journal, August 2010)
"This book provides an excellent introduction to the study of paleobiology for advanced students in paleontology, evolutionary biology, and related fields." (CHOICE, February 2009)
“..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 levelsboth in Britain as well as in North America.” (Proceedings of the Geologists' Association, 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.” (Geological Magazine, 2010)
"This is the best paleontology textbook on the market today. It is a sure bet to set young students on the right path, and provides the 'long' answer to the question 'What should I study?'" (The Quarterly Review of Biology, March 2010)
"This undergraduate level college textbook presents a comprehensive overview into the science of paleobiology, and the many analytical tools and latest techniques used to interpret the fossil record." (The Birdbooker Report, February 2009)
"This book gives a competent, comprehensive and easy readable overview of all aspects of palaeontology and palaeobiology, which can be highly recommend to all, who are interested in the record of life from the beginning." (Geological Survey of Austria, December 2008)
--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
From the Back Cover
Palaeontology, a fundamental topic in geology and evolutionary biology, has undergone exciting and rapid change in recent years. Contemporary debates on mass extinctions and the origin of life have had profound implications for our understanding of how life evolved.
Basic Palaeontology is a comprehensive and accessible introduction to palaeontology. With in-depth analysis of basic principles and all the main fossil groups, this fully illustrated text presents new and exciting research on the origin and history of life. The text focuses on traditional topics such as marine invertebrate palaeontology and biostratigraphy, but also provides unique and unparalleled taxonomic coverage from microfossils to plants and vertebrates.
Key Features include:
- Covers important recent developments in macroevolution and mass extinctions
- A strong focus on a statistical and quantitative approach, emphasising the vital importance of both applications and theory
- Full coverage of the evolution of vertebrates and plants
- Over 600 highly detailed illustrations
- An accessible format with extensive boxed material and bullet points
Basic Palaeontology is essential reading for undergraduate students of geology, environmental science and biology, taking courses in palaeontology, palaeobiology, palaeoecology or evolution, and will also be of interest to all those who have an interest in the origin of life and human evolution.
Michael J Benton is a Reader in the Department of Geology, University of Bristol, UK. David A T Harper is a Lecturer in Geology at the Department of Geology, University College Galway, Ireland.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
0 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Book damaged upon arrival,
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Introduction to Paleobiology and the Fossil Record (Paperback)
Ordered this textbook new, and it arrived with tears on the outside of the binding and edges of book is scratched and dented, to the point where the edges of the cover paper is splitting into two pages. I am very disappointed and have received used books in better quality.
0 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Paleobiology,
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Introduction to Paleobiology and the Fossil Record (Paperback)
This book came in a great condition! It was almost like new! And it also came fast! It was a great price for a book in such a great condition.
8 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent!!!!! Very informative to aspiring Paleontologists!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Basic Palaeontology (Paperback)
I thought this book was one of the best Dinosuar books I have ever read.......this book had lots of really neat info about the different kinds of dinosuars and how to be a paleontologist in your own time. I give this excellent dino book four stars!!!!
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
Inside This Book
(learn more)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs):
(learn more)
fossil invertebrates, geologic time scale, vertebrate palaeontology, ideal zone fossils, disaster taxa, biconvex valves, basal metazoans, extinctions and biodiversity loss, early mollusks, basal tetrapods, sessile benthos, hyaline tests, substrate revolution, echinoderms and hemichordates, theoretical morphospace, ambulacral areas, articulated brachiopods, small shelly fauna, evolutionary faunas, ghost ranges, hyaline area, trace fossils, graptolite faunas, fossil embryos, trace fossil assemblages Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, Late Triassic, Early Ordovician, North America, Recent Class, Early Cambrian, Late Cretaceous, Late Devonian, Recent Order, Cambridge University Press, Burgess Shale, Late Jurassic, Blackwell Publishing, Early Devonian, Early Cretaceous, South America, Late Permian, Charles Darwin, Mid Ordovician, Oxford University Press, Late Precambrian, Late Carboniferous, Early Carboniferous, Journal of the Geological Society, Late Ordovician Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
fossil invertebrates, geologic time scale, vertebrate palaeontology, ideal zone fossils, disaster taxa, biconvex valves, basal metazoans, extinctions and biodiversity loss, early mollusks, basal tetrapods, sessile benthos, hyaline tests, substrate revolution, echinoderms and hemichordates, theoretical morphospace, ambulacral areas, articulated brachiopods, small shelly fauna, evolutionary faunas, ghost ranges, hyaline area, trace fossils, graptolite faunas, fossil embryos, trace fossil assemblages Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, Late Triassic, Early Ordovician, North America, Recent Class, Early Cambrian, Late Cretaceous, Late Devonian, Recent Order, Cambridge University Press, Burgess Shale, Late Jurassic, Blackwell Publishing, Early Devonian, Early Cretaceous, South America, Late Permian, Charles Darwin, Mid Ordovician, Oxford University Press, Late Precambrian, Late Carboniferous, Early Carboniferous, Journal of the Geological Society, Late Ordovician Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product).
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
