Invertebrate Palaeontology & Evolution (Paperback)

~ Euan Clarkson (Author), Euan, N.K. Clarkson (Author) "Once upon a time... Some 4600 million years ago the Earth came into being, probably forming from a condensing disc of particles, dust and gas,..." (more)
Key Phrases: fusellar tissue, radial water vessel, rhynchonelliform brachiopods, Invertebrate Paleontology, New York, Journal of Paleontology (more...)

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 <!--end-->

Product Description

Invertebrate Palaeontology and Evolution is well established as the foremost palaeontology text at the 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.
• 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.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 468 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 4 edition (November 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0632052384
• ISBN-13: 978-0632052387
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #801,442 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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 (REAL NAME)

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 (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Invertebrate Paleontology 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 2 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 (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Invertebrate Paleontology 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.