The Evolution of North American Rhinoceroses [Hardcover]

Donald R. Prothero (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521832403 | ISBN-13: 978-0521832403 | Publication Date: March 7, 2005

First appearing about 40 million years ago in North America, rhinoceroses diversified into an incredible array of taxa, with a variety of ecologies that don't resemble any of the five living species. They ranged from delicate long-legged dog-sized forms, to huge hippo-like forms that apparently lived in rivers and lakes. Including a complete systematic review, and discussions of biogeography, evolution and paleoecology, this book summarizes our current knowledge of North American rhinos and constitutes the most complete reference available.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book is the culmination of a monumental effort to study all known fossils of North American representatives of the mammalian family RhinocerotidaeThe books well-rendered photographs and line drawings illustrate the details of rhinoceros skeletal anatomy, and the reconstructions of articulated skeletons and models provide a feeling for how these animals must have appeared in life." Choice

"It is not often that you get to see a book that contains more than 20 years of work...Given the nature of vertebrate paleontology as a historical science, both the nature of what we do as well how we do it, I am quite sure that my grandchildren will be citing this work in their studies...The book is professionally done (what would you expect from Cambridge University Press) with excellent copy editing...good binding, and numerous photos that are by and large well reproduced...this book is bound to become THE reference for North American rhinos...Prothero's book will remain the state of the art on North American rhinos for years to come, and it will be well used on my shelf during that time." - The Paleontological Society, David Froehlich, Austin Community College

"This well-illustrated book is the first modern synthesis of the American Rhinocerotidae. It will leave a lasting impression more for the clarity of its style, its beautiful presentation, and its excellent illustrations, making for very pleasant reading."
Claude Guerin in Geobios 38

"Within 218 richly-illustrated pages Donald R. Prothero achieves the amazing feat of encapsulating the 35 million years of the North American history of one of the most successful groups of Cenozoic ungulates, the rhinoceroses. Prothero's work already constitutes the essential reference for paleomammalogists specializing in rhinos, and more broadly those interested in the Tertiary of North America.
P.O. Antoine in Geochronique: Magazine des Geosciences

Book Description

Rhinoceroses have a long and amazing history in North America. First appearing about 40 million years ago, they diversified into an incredible array of taxa, with a variety of ecologies that don't resemble any of the five living species. They ranged from delicate long-legged dog-sized forms, to huge hippo-like forms that apparently lived in rivers and lakes. This book summarizes the tremendous increase in our knowledge of North American rhinos. It includes a full systematic review, and discussions of biogeography, evolution and paleoecology, forming the most complete reference available.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 228 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (March 7, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521832403
• ISBN-13: 978-0521832403
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,093,367 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Donald R. Prothero is Professor of Geology at Occidental College in Los Angeles, and Lecturer in Geobiology at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. He earned M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. degrees in geological sciences from Columbia University in 1982, and a B.A. in geology and biology (highest honors, Phi Beta Kappa) from the University of California, Riverside. He is currently the author, co-author, editor, or co-editor of 25 books and over 200 scientific papers, including five leading geology textbooks and three trade books as well as edited symposium volumes and other technical works. He is on the editorial board of Skeptic magazine, and in the past has served as an associate or technical editor for Geology, Paleobiology and Journal of Paleontology. He is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America, the Paleontological Society, and the Linnaean Society of London, and has also received fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and the National Science Foundation. He has served as the Vice President of the Pacific Section of SEPM (Society of Sedimentary Geology), and five years as the Program Chair for the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology. In 1991, he received the Schuchert Award of the Paleontological Society for the outstanding paleontologist under the age of 40. He has also been featured on several television documentaries, including episodes of Paleoworld (BBC), Prehistoric Monsters Revealed (History Channel), Entelodon and Hyaenodon (National Geographic Channel) and Walking with Prehistoric Beasts (BBC).