Bringing fossils to life: an introduction to paleobiology

Abstract

Preface To the Student: Why Study Fossils? PART I: THE FOSSIL RECORD: A WINDOW ON THE PAST1. The Fossil RecordWhat is a Fossil? How Does an Organism Become a Fossil? What Factors Affect the Fossilization Potential of an Organism? What Factors are Required for Extraordinary Preservation? How Good is the Fossil Record? Conclusions 2. Variation in FossilsTheme: Variation How do Organisms vary during their Lifespans? How do Populations of Organisms Vary? Conclusions 3. Species and Speciation 4. SystematicsWhy Systematics? Evolution and Classification Competing Systematic Philosophies Molecular Systematics Codes of Systematic Nomenclature Conclusions 5. EvolutionThe Evolution of Evolution The Challenges to the Neo-Darwinian Synthesis Evolution and the Fossil Record Conclusions 6. Extinction 7. Functional MorphologyForm and Function Theoretical Morphology Functional Hypotheses as Testable Science Case Studies in Functional Morphology Conclusions 8. PaleoecologyEcology and Paleoecology Ecological Relationships Environmental Limiting Factors Direct Paleoecological Evidence Some Ecological Ideas that have been Applied (and Misapplied) to the Fossil Record Evolutionary Paleoecology Conclusions 9. BiogeographyOrganisms in Space and Time Ecological Biogeography Historical Biogeography Conclusions 10. BiostratigraphyFaunal Succession Biostratigraphic Zonations Factors controlling Fossil Distributions Biostratigraphic Sampling The Time Significance of Biostratigraphic Events North American Land Mammal Ages and Biochronology Resolution, Precision, and Accuracy Index Fossils and the Global Biostratigraphic Standard Conclusions PART II: LIFE OF THE PAST AND PRESENT11. Life's Origins and Early EvolutionConcocting the Primordial Soup Mud and Mosh Pits, Kitty Litter and Fool's Gold Life is a Commune The Earliest Fossils Cambrian Explosion-or Short Fuse? Why did Life Change So Slowly Before the Cambrian? Rocks, Hox, and Molecular Clocks. 12. Micropaleontology: Fossil ProtistansIntroduction The Kingdoms of Life Systematics Foraminifera Radiolaria Diatoms Coccolithophores 13. Colonial Life: Sponges, Archaeocyathans, and Cnidarians 14. The Lophophorates: Brachiopods and Bryozoans 15. Jointed Limbs: The Arthropods 16. Kingdom of the Seashell: The MolluscsIntroduction Systematics Mollusc Origins and Diversification Gastropods Bivalves Cephalopods 17. Spiny Skins: The Echinoderms 18. Dry Bones: Vertebrates and their RelativesIntroduction The Road to Amphioxus Getting a Head: The Craniates Jaws: The Gnathostomes Fish Bones The Osteichthyans Lobe Fins: The Sarcopterygians Four on the Floor: The Tetrapods Land Eggs: The Amniotes Feathered Dinosaurs: The Birds Furry Folk: Synapsids and Mammals 19. Fossilized Behavior: Trace Fossils 20. Traces of Earth's Green Mantle: PaleobotanyIntroduction Plant Taphonomy The First Photosynthetic Organisms The Plant Kingdom Vascular Plants Tracheophytes Naked Seeds: The Gymnosperms Flower Power: The Angiosperm Revolution Floras through Time Glossary Bibliography Index