Abstract
Quaternary palaeontologists must abandon the concept of fossil species (=chronospecies) and as far as possible adapt the concepts used at present by the neontologists to fossil materials. It is proposed to use an approach that consists of reversing the sequence of research procedures. This can be done by: (1) studying relevant recent populations in the entire present range of the species, (2) focussing attention on a full utilization of information concerning the variability of morphological traits used for palaeontological purposes in the recent species, (3) the taxonomic position of which should be defined on the basis of biochemical, genetic and ecological data and not exclusively on morphological discontinuities and finally (4) having acquired this knowledge to classify the fossil mammal samples.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
