Invertebrate Palaeontology and Evolution [Paperback]

E. N. Clarkson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 15, 1992 | ISBN-10: 0412479907 | ISBN-13: 978-0412479908 | Edition: 1

Fossils are of great value in interpreting the sedimentary environments in which they lived and the patterns and processes in the history of life. Their role in biostratigraphy is as important now as it ever was. In all respects palaeontology is is a vigorous and expanding subject, and will remain integral to geology for the foreseeable future. The third edition of "Invertebrate Palaeonotology and Evolution" has been extensively revised and retains the same format. In particular it contains a new treatment of evolution theory, new classifications of certain groups which are illustrated in range charts, and many new photographs and illustrations. The first part covers the basic principles of palaeontology - occurance of fossils, their preservation, classification and stratigraphic uses. Evolution and the fossil record is extensively treated, and the various mass extinction episodes that affected evolving life. In part two each of the major phyla of dominant marine invertebrates preserved in the fossil record is treated in turn. Their structure, functional design, classification, ecology and stratigraphic uses are all considered, and an up-to-date bibliography is given at the end of each chapter. A final chapter on exceptional faunas highlights the importance of rare kinds of preservation in establishing the diversity of faunas living at particular times. Undergraduate students of geology or earth science may find this a valuable core textbook. It may also be of interest to their teachers and some zoologists.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Clarkson is unbeatable...if you are a genuine palaeontology student then you can currently do no better than this." Geological Magazine - December 1999 --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

Invertebrate Palaeontology and Evolution is well established as the foremost palaeontology text at undergraduate level. This fully revised fourth edition includes a complete update of the sections on evolution and the fossil record, and the evolution of the early metazoans. New work on the classification of the major phyla (in particular brachiopods and molluscs) has been incorporated, and the section on trace fossils is extensively rewritten. The author has taken care to involve specialists in the major groups, to ensure the taxonomy is as up-to-date and accurate as possible. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 456 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (December 15, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0412479907
• ISBN-13: 978-0412479908
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,787,234 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Power of Paleontology, June 21, 2002

By 

Mark McMenamin "chronophile" (South Hadley, Massachusetts United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Invertebrate Palaeontology & Evolution (Paperback)

This very fine invertebrate paleontology textbook strikes a nice balance between focus on the paleobiology/taxonomy of the organisms and theoretical topics in the science. The well-crafted illustrations help to make the sometimes intricate details of fossil morphology clear. Clarkson has a knack for bringing forth key details that illuminate ancient organisms (e.g., the hysteresis mechanisms that control the liquid in cephalopod chambers), and he writes with a wry sense of humor (see the Lehmann quotation on p. 245). The importance of convergent evolution is apparent throughout the book, and is one of the main lessons to be learned from the science of invertebrate paleontology. The next edition of this book needs to stop calling the Ediacarans a "fauna" (the term "biota" is preferable, as we are not sure that Ediacarans were indeed animals). I also have quibbles with the higher taxonomy presented in this book for other groups. Overall, however, this is an outstanding presentation of invertebrate paleontology.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Comprehensive Treatment of a Fascinating Field of Study, May 4, 2007

By 

Lee N. Minier (Albion, NY United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Invertebrate Palaeontology and Evolution (Paperback)

Dr. Clarkson presents a detailed and informative summary of all major aspects of invertebrate evolution. The book is organized in a step-wise fashion that introduces the reader to the main principles of the field of paleontology (including genetics, populations and micro- and macroevolution) and then moves into detailed descriptions of the various invertebrate phyla. Be aware that this is not your typical coffee table book; rather, it is written at a level best appreciated by those with a biological background or by introductory students in this field. Descriptions are appropriately detailed and concise and are accompanied by a wealth of similarly detailed drawings and images. I particularly enjoyed his chapters on molluscs, echinoderms and crinoids. It is a valuable accompaniment to other books that have been written on the Burgess Shale and early forms of non-vertebrate life. Both the armchair paleontologist and the professional will find this to be a most valuable addition to his or her collection of books on this wonderfully diverse group of ancient animals.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reference Source, June 4, 2009

By 

Philip S. Taylor "Fnersch" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Invertebrate Palaeontology and Evolution (Paperback)

This serves a a superb reference book for people who have dealings with Paleontology who are not professionals. The details on faunal morphology are very good for such an abbreviated work. This author is often quoted in other works.