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Books in Paleontology

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    • Fossils and Earth Time

      Evolution and Biostratigraphy
      • 1st Edition
      • Felix Gradstein + 3 more
      • English
      Fossils and Earth Time: Evolution and Biostratigraphy presents an in-depth examination of both micro- and macrofossils, showcasing their evolution and biostratigraphy throughout the Phanerozoic Era. The book meticulously explores various fossil groups that have influenced Earth's history. It integrates paleontological data with geological context and biostratigraphic principles, elucidating the intricate relationship between fossil assemblages and Earth's dynamic past. This resource is invaluable for those studying geology, paleontology, or investigating the spatial and temporal distribution across Earth’s history.The book delves into the significance of fossils as vital biostratigraphic tools, enabling precise dating and correlation of sedimentary rocks across different regions and continents. It offers up-to-date information, making it an essential reference for researchers and professionals. The comprehensive coverage of fossil groups and their geological implications provides readers with a thorough understanding of Earth’s evolutionary timeline. Practical applications and case studies further enhance its utility for academia and industry alike.

    • Vertebrate Ichnology

      Tracks and Trails, Consumption, Digging and Reproduction, Geoconservation
      • 1st Edition
      • Spencer G Lucas + 2 more
      • English
      Vertebrate Ichnology: Fish Ichnology, Consumption, Burrows and Reproduction, Geoconservation is a comprehensive and meticulously researched review and analysis of the entire vertebrate trace fossil record, shedding light on lesser-known vertebrate traces beyond footprints. From vertebrate burrows to the ichnology of reproduction, each chapter provides valuable insights and up-to-date information. The book explores a wide range of topics, including consumption through coprolites, dentalites, regurgitalites, and other trace fossils that are evidence of vertebrate predation and consumption.This authoritative reference provides students, researchers, and professionals in the field of Earth and Planetary sciences with updated information on the geological heritage of vertebrate ichnosites and their importance in geoconservation efforts.

    • Reconstructing Olduvai

      The Behavior of Early Humans at David's Site
      • 1st Edition
      • Manuel Domínguez-Rodrigo + 5 more
      • English
      Reconstructing Olduvai: The Behavior of Early Humans at David's Site provides the necessary information for future generations of archaeologists to peer into the lifestyle of early humans. Much of what is known about these hominins originates from the detailed excavations that Mary Leakey carried out at Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania. Since then, work at Olduvai has produced a wealth of new fossils, resulting in the discovery of David's Site, the biggest early Pleistocene site in the world. This will be an indispensable resource for students, academics, and researchers who share an interest in the evolution of early human behavior.Written by leaders of present-day excavations at Olduvai Gorge, this book is systematically divided into three parts to deliver a clear account of the research advancements at David's Site. Part I focuses on the presentation of the site and the description of its geological and palaeoecological reconstruction. Part II examines hominin feeding habits, including how they brought, processed, and consumed animals at the site. Part III explores hominin technologies, including reconstruction of the stone-tool activities carried out at the site.

    • Darriwilian to Katian (Ordovician) Graptolites from Northwest China

      • 1st Edition
      • Chen Chen Xu + 4 more
      • English
      Darriwilian to Sandbian (Ordovician) Graptolites from Northwest China analyzes the significance of these exquisite, mostly pyritic, graptolites of the middle to late Ordovician period from North China and Tarim, China—locations that have developed the world’s most complete successions of strata and fossil records. The book provides the first systematic account of the renowned graptolite faunas, with over 100 species belonging to 45 genera and 15 families preserved in black shale and limestone, also presenting a comprehensive accounting of the graptolites during the critical transition from the middle to late Ordovician period with important data on new morphologies, the latest conventions in classification, diversity change and evolution, refined biostratigraphy divisions, and correlation with other major regions or continents. The book provides a key resource for paleontologists, stratigraphic specialists, petroleum geologists, and graduate students in varying fields of geology.

    • Cenozoic Foraminifera and Calcareous Nannofossil Biostratigraphy of the Niger Delta

      • 1st Edition
      • Oluwafeyisola Sylvester Adegoke + 4 more
      • English
      Cenozoic Foraminifera and Calcareous Nannofossil Biostratigraphy of the Niger Delta is available just as exploration and production activities are moving into the little known deep water terrain of the Niger Delta. A thorough understanding of the Cenozoic Niger Delta will improve understanding and exploration of the evolution of deeper offshore belts, help researchers strengthen and refine existing Neogene nannofossil biostratigraphic schemes for the Niger Delta region, and gain a better understanding of the relationship between nannofossil assemblage variations and paleoenvironments. The hydrocarbon reserves of the Niger Delta are an extremely valuable natural resource. Biostratigraphy and Correlation play important roles in the discovery, development and maturing of hydrocarbon fields. Calcareous nannofossils have been important tools for the stratigraphers in the Niger Delta and in recent years exploration has moved into deeper offshore areas where nannofossils are more abundant and diverse. Little has been published about the calcareous nannofossil chronostratigraphy of the Niger delta. Cenozoic Foraminifera and Calcareous Nannofossil Biostratigraphy of the Niger Delta fills the gap for earth scientists and those working in the oil and gas industry.

    • Phytolyth Analysis

      An Archaeological and Geological Perspective
      • 1st Edition
      • Dolores R. Piperno
      • English
      This is a methodological guide to the use of plant opal phytolith analysis in paleoenvironmental and paleoecological reconstruction. It is the first book-length treatment of this promising technique, which has undergone rapid development within the past few years and is now beginning to be used with considerable success by paleobotanists who serve the archaeological and paleontological research communities. It will be mandatory reading for all paleobotanists, paleoecologists, and archaeological scientists.

    • Drawing & Understanding Fossils

      A Theoretical and Practical Guide for Beginners with Self-assessment
      • 1st Edition
      • E. W. Nield
      • English
      A practical manual for the student of palaeontology, giving a grounding in theory, in addition to teaching graphical skills needed to make clear, representative and pleasing drawings of fossil specimens. As most early practical work in palaeontology is graphical the author has sought to teach the basics of graphic art as relevant to each fossil group. Puzzles, exercises and experiments are included, also self-assessment tests to allow students to check their progress.

    • The Platyrrhine Fossil Record

      • 1st Edition
      • John G. Fleagle + 1 more
      • English
      The Platyrrhine Fossil Record is a compendium of papers presented in a symposium of the 12th Congress of the International Congress of Primatology held in Brazil. One paper reviews evidence from fossil platyrrhines where the author concludes new dating and environmental data where these animals lived. Another paper describes the major changes pertaining to South American mammalian fauna during the Cenozoic Era, which he relates to global and regional geotectonic changes. Other papers review the paleontology and geology of the Miocene Pintura Formation and reassess the morphological transformations traditionally assumed as having been involved in platyrrhine phylogeny. One author also proposes that a prosimian-like ancestor is probably the predecessors of anthropoids; any similarities and primitive mammals can be evolutionary reversals associated with quadrupedal movements. The text also addresses the issue whether anthropoids, including platyrrhines, evolved from a prosimian ancestor or prosimians are just a group with mammalian postcranial skeletal structure. One author also reviews fossil remains found in the Caribbean, citing seven endemic taxa of platyrrhines in Cuba, Hispaniola, and Jamaica. Anthropologists, researchers involved in anatomical sciences, academicians, and administrators whose works are connected with museums of natural history or institutes of primate research will find this collection valuable.

    • Evolution of Fossil Ecosystems

      • 2nd Edition
      • Paul Selden + 1 more
      • English
      The first edition of Evolution of Fossil Ecosystems was widely praised for its coverage and approach in describing and illustrating 14 well-known fossil sites from around the world. The authors have now updated the text and added 6 new chapters with many new color illustrations. Following a general introduction to fossil Lagerstätten, each chapter deals with a single site and follows the same format: its evolutionary position and significance; its background sedimentology, stratigraphy and palaeoenvironment; a description of the biota and palaeoecology; a comparison with other similar Lagerstätten; and a list of relevant museums and suggestions for visiting the sites. This study of exceptionally well-preserved fossil sites from different periods in geological time provides a picture of the evolution of ecosystems through the ages.

    • Trace Fossils as Indicators of Sedimentary Environments

      • 1st Edition
      • Volume 64
      • Dirk Knaust + 1 more
      • English
      Integration of ichnological information into sedimentological models, and vice versa, is one of the main means by which we can improve our understanding of ancient depositional environments. Mainly intended for sedimentologists, this book aims to make ichnological methods as part of facies interpretation more popular, providing an analytical review of the ichnology of all major depositional environments and the use of ichnology in biostratigraphic and sequence stratigraphic analysis. It starts with an introduction to the historical aspect of ichnology, introducing common concepts and methods, and then continues with parts treating the main depositional systems from continental, shallow-marine and deep-marine siliciclastics, and marine carbonates. The last part is dedicated to the ichnology in hydrocarbon reservoir and aquifer characterization.