This book presents a comprehensive overview of the science of the history of life Paleobiologists bring many analytical tools to bear in interpreting the fossil record & the book introduces the latest techniques from multivariate investigations of biogeography & biostratigraphy to engineering analysis of dinosaur skulls & from homeobox genes to cladistics All the well-known fossil groups are included including microfossils & invertebrates but an important feature is the thorough coverage of plants vertebrates & trace fossils together with discussion of the origins of both life & the metazoans All key related subjects are introduced such as systematics ecology evolution & development stratigraphy & their roles in understanding where life came from & how it evolved & diversified Unique features of the book are the numerous case studies from current research that lead students to the primary literature analytical & mathematical explanations & tools together with associated problem sets & practical schedules for instructors & students any serious student of geology who does not pick this book off the shelf will be putting themselves at a huge disadvantage The material may be complex but the text is extremely accessible & well organized & the book ought to be essential reading for palaeontologists at undergraduate postgraduate & more advanced levels both in Britain as well as in North America Falcon-Lang H Proc Geol Assoc 2010 this is an excellent introduction to palaeontology in general It is well structured accessibly written & pleasantly informative I would recommend this as a standard reference text to all my students without hesitation David Norman Geol Mag 2010 Companion website This book
Includes:: a companion website at wwwblackwellpublishingcompaleobiology The website
Includes:: An ongoing database of additional Practical s prepared by the authors Figures from the text for downloading Useful links for each chapter Updates from the authors