The Paleontology of Gran Barranca: Evolution and Environmental Change through the Middle Cenozoic of Patagonia [Hardcover]

Richard H. Madden (Editor), Alfredo A. Carlini (Editor), Maria Guiomar Vucetich (Editor), Richard F. Kay (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521872413 | ISBN-13: 978-0521872416 | Publication Date: July 26, 2010 | Edition: 1

Gran Barranca in Patagonia exposes the most complete sequence of middle Cenozoic paleofaunas in South America. It is the only continuous continental fossil record of the Southern Hemisphere between 42 and 18 million years ago, when climates at high latitudes transitioned from warm humid to cold dry conditions. This volume presents the geochronology of the fossil mammal sequence and a compilation of the latest studies of the stratigraphy, sedimentology, mammals, plants, invertebrates and trace fossils. It is also the first detailed treatment of the vertebrate faunal sequence at Gran Barranca, providing important new evidence about biotic diversity and evolution in the native species. A revised taxonomy allows a reevaluation of the origination and extinction of herbivorous mammals, marsupials, and xenarthrans, and the earliest occurrence of rodents and primates in southern latitudes. Academic researchers and advanced students in vertebrate paleontology, geochronology, sedimentology and paleoprimatology will value this wealth of new information.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'... the first detailed treatment of the vertebrate faunal sequence at Gran Barranca, providing important new evidence about biotic diversity and evolution in the native species ... Academic researchers and advanced students in vertebrate paleontology, geochronology, sedimentology and paleoprimatology will value this wealth of new information.' The Eggs EGU Newsletter (the-eggs.org)

Book Description

This volume provides a wealth of new information on the uniquely complete fossil record of Gran Barranca, from more than ten years' field work by the contributors. It presents important new evidence for reevaluating biotic diversity and evolution of native species, and the geochronology of their origination and extinction.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 458 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 1 edition (July 26, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521872413
• ISBN-13: 978-0521872416
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,994,442 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)